Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer Jobs in Florence, KY

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Job Description

Embedded Controls Engineering Manager

Location: Marietta, OH (Onsite)
Non-Local candidates may be eligible for relocation support
Travel: Up to 10% Domestic Travel
 

Lead the Technology Behind Products That Protect Critical Research

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. As our Embedded Controls Engineering Manager, you'll lead the development of intelligent control systems that power our ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, cryogenic storage systems, and controlled-rate freezing technologies.
 

These products safeguard life-saving vaccines, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and irreplaceable scientific samples used by researchers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology organizations around the world.

This is a hands-on engineering leadership role where you'll guide embedded hardware and software development, influence product architecture, and lead a global team delivering next-generation control solutions for a growing portfolio of innovative laboratory products.
 

What You'll Do

As the Embedded Controls Engineering Manager, you'll provide both technical leadership and people leadership while driving the embedded controls strategy across multiple product platforms.
 

Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Lead a global team of electrical engineers, embedded software engineers, and engineering technicians located in North America and India.
• Define and drive the embedded controls architecture and technology roadmap for Thermo Fisher's cold storage and cryogenic product portfolio.
• Provide technical leadership for embedded firmware, hardware, sensing technologies, communications, and control algorithms.
• Develop scalable, modular control platforms that support future product innovation and platform reuse.
• Guide architecture decisions that improve product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Support technology development and innovation initiatives that contribute to future products and intellectual property.
   

New Product Development

• Lead embedded controls development throughout the complete New Product Development (NPD) lifecycle.
• Partner closely with Product Management, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to deliver high-quality products on schedule.
• Support existing products while driving next-generation platform development.
• Collaborate with global manufacturing sites to ensure successful product launches and ongoing production support.
   

Software Development & Systems Engineering

• Champion modern embedded software development practices using Agile methodologies.
• Promote best practices for software architecture, coding standards, design reviews, version control, testing, and release management.
• Drive requirements management, traceability, and documentation using tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Git.
• Lead development of system-level specifications, verification strategies, and validation plans.
   

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure embedded hardware and software designs meet applicable regulatory, safety, and certification requirements including UL, IEC, CE, CSA, and other applicable standards.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to maintain design controls, risk analyses, verification, validation, and requirements traceability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, reliability, and compliance.
   

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing global engineering organization.
• Allocate engineering resources across multiple programs and priorities.
• Partner with project managers to develop project schedules, staffing plans, and budgets.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on innovation, accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
   

Technologies You'll Work With

You'll help shape the future of intelligent laboratory equipment using technologies such as:

• Embedded C/C++
• Embedded microcontrollers
• Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
• PCB design and schematic development
• Analog and digital circuit design
• PI/PID control algorithms
• Sensors, actuators, and data acquisition systems
• Serial communications (UART, SPI, I2C)
• Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity
• Git, Jira, and Confluence
• Automated testing and validation systems
   

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Five or more years leading embedded hardware and software engineering teams.
• Three or more years designing and developing embedded control systems for electromechanical products.
• Experience with embedded firmware development using C/C++.
• Strong understanding of embedded system architecture, microcontrollers, and real-time control systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through product development.
• Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience developing products for regulated industries such as medical devices, laboratory equipment, or industrial controls.
• Experience with PCB design, circuit simulation, and design for manufacturability.
• Knowledge of embedded Linux or RTOS environments.
• Experience with Qt framework or modern embedded user interfaces.
• Familiarity with cloud-connected or IoT-enabled embedded systems.
• Experience developing thermal control systems, refrigeration controls, or other precision electromechanical systems.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.

What Makes You Successful

You are a collaborative engineering leader who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while developing high-performing teams. You combine strong technical expertise with strategic thinking and enjoy influencing product direction from concept through commercialization.

You thrive in an environment where innovation, quality, customer focus, and continuous improvement are valued every day.

Why Join Thermo Fisher Scientific?

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll have the opportunity to influence products that support scientific discovery and improve lives around the world.

We Offer

• Leadership opportunity with a global Fortune 100 company
• Ownership of embedded controls architecture across a growing product portfolio
• Opportunity to lead global engineering teams and drive next-generation product innovation
• Competitive compensation and annual incentive bonus
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning on Day 1
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Career advancement within one of the world's leading science and technology organizations
• A collaborative culture focused on innovation, inclusion, quality, and continuous learning
   

If you're passionate about embedded systems, engineering leadership, and developing technologies that support scientific breakthroughs, we invite you to join Thermo Fisher Scientific and help shape the future of laboratory equipment used around the world.