Embedded Software Engineer II

Punch Through is a design and engineering firm specializing in connected medical device development. For more than 15 years, we’ve helped innovators bring secure, reliable, and compliant products to market, building technology that improves lives and creates lasting impact. Take a look at our website, and you’ll see what we mean.

Punch Through is growing, with a variety of medical and non-medical projects in progress and new ones kicking off soon. This is where you come in. You’ll work closely with other embedded engineers, as well as mobile app engineers, cloud/backend engineers, and electrical engineers to create and deliver connected solutions that solve complex technical challenges for our clients.

As an Embedded Software Engineer at Punch Through, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects, from quick-turn proofs of concept to multi-year development programs, designing and building solutions from the ground up, all the way through to launch and scale.

This position is hybrid. Our hybrid positions are for those located in the Minneapolis/ Saint Paul MN area and have in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and in-person team collaboration when you feel it’s necessary. The in-office days have ample opportunities to connect with your team mates through provided lunch, afternoon happy hour, and more!

Whether in the office or at home, we offer desk setups to allow you to work comfortably wherever you are.

We participate in the E-Verify hiring process. To learn more please see E-Verify Overview

Responsibilities:

• Develop firmware and embedded software for connected products using wireless protocols including BLE and Wi-Fi
• Participate with a team of other embedded software engineers in requirements gathering, task definition, and execution phases of a project, in an iterative, agile workflow
• Utilize AI tools and methodologies in software product development to optimize productivity
• Execute firmware development in compliance with regulated processes such as IEC 62304 medical device standards
• Coordinate with a cross-disciplinary team to deliver high-quality firmware and software solutions for clients’ connected products
• Understand and balance engineering tradeoffs between technical approach, scope, and schedule
• Deliver verbal and written status updates to clients’ engineers and stakeholders
• Generate supporting technical documentation, including design specifications and product requirement specifications
• Remain ego-free, willing to learn from other team engineers, and ask for help when the need arises

Typical Tech Stacks:

• Core Languages: C, C++, Python
• Operating Systems / RTOS: Bare-metal, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, QP, Embedded Linux (Yocto Project)
• Hardware Platforms: Nordic Semiconductor, Silicon Labs, STMicroelectronics, Espressif, NXP
• Protocols: BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), Wi-Fi, MQTT, HTTPS, Serial Comms Protocols
• Tools & Infrastructure: Git, GCC/Clang/ARMCC/IAR toolchains, Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, J-Link debuggers, Test Frameworks (pytest / Unity / CMock), CI/CD automated test runners

Skills & Qualifications:

• 3-10 years of professional experience in firmware development
• Demonstrably high proficiency in C
• Experience in developing low-level drivers and application-level firmware for microcontrollers and/or microprocessors
• Experience with a variety of toolchains and development environments
• Experience bringing up and debugging hardware using a logic analyzer, oscilloscope, etc.
• Experience with version control using Git
• Proficient in writing modular, testable code that can support unit and integration testing
• Engagement in applying AI within software development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Desire and curiosity to learn new things

You Are Definitely The One We Are Looking For If You Have:

• Operating Systems: Experience with embedded RTOS or embedded Linux
• Wireless & Connectivity: Design experience with connected BLE or Wi-Fi systems, networking protocols, and corresponding data transfer and command protocols
• Cybersecurity: Experience with embedded security practices such as secure boot, data encryption, and secure communication, or system-level cybersecurity threat management
• Regulated Medical Software: Familiarity with IEC 62304 standards for designing, developing, and verifying medical device software
• Advanced AI Implementation: Existing capabilities or a strategic mindset to drive team adoption of Agentic AI and LLM-assisted development paradigms
• Automation: Experience building firmware and/or software test automation frameworks
• Language Fluency: Experience with additional languages geared towards embedded systems and application development (C++, Rust, Python, etc.)

Perks & Benefits:

• $100k to $130k Salary Range
• 401k
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• MN Paid Family Leave
• Sick Time
• Jury Duty Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• Annual Wellness Stipend
• Annual External Learning Stipend
• Company Trips : All employees come together twice a year for an offsite. Enjoy meeting your distributed colleagues, team building, continuous improvement opportunities, and a lot of fun!
• Fist Bump Awards : Nominate your fellow team members who have gone above and beyond for recognition, and the company will provide them with an experience (e.g., a weekend away at a cabin!) as a thank-you!
• Company-sponsored Lunch & Happy hours : For those employees who wish to come into the office, we offer lunch on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Each Wednesday, we have an afternoon happy hour to spend some social time with your co-workers.
• Lunch & Learns : Expand your skill set by teaching and learning with your peers.
• Book Club : Discuss and share your thoughts on the book chosen by employees each month.
• On-site Gym Membership & Secured Bike Room : Fitness and commuting to work is easy with a free gym membership and a secure bike room to store your vehicle.

Our Culture Statement:

At Punch Through, our culture is the foundation of everything we do. We’ve intentionally built a work environment that supports our people—both in and outside the workplace—so you can do your best work, grow your skills, and thrive as an individual. That support doesn’t just benefit our team; it enables us to deliver better results for our clients because great products don’t happen without a great team behind them.

Here, you’ll work in an environment rooted in empathy and understanding. We understand that life outside of work can be unpredictable, and we make it possible to show up as yourself without penalty. You’ll know the “why” behind decisions because we’re transparent about how they’re made, and you’ll have the freedom to own your work without being micromanaged. If something doesn’t go as planned, it’s treated as a learning opportunity, not a reason to point fingers. And when challenges come up, you won’t face them alone; the team rallies to solve them together.

We also know how to stay focused without losing our sense of fun. Creativity and curiosity are built into the job, helping us solve problems in smarter ways and making the process more enjoyable. We celebrate wins and make space to connect as people, not just coworkers. That balance of focus and enjoyment is a big part of why people stay here—the work matters, the team has your back, and the day-to-day experience is sustainable and rewarding.

If this resonates with you, you'll likely fit right in. If that’s the case, we want to hear from you! Please apply today! We look forward to getting to know you.