Software and Firmware Architect

Published 07.11.2026

Company : Safran Electronics & Defense Job field : Architecture and systems engineering Location : Sydney , New South Wales , Australia Contract type : Permanent Contract duration : Full-time Required degree : Bachelor's Degree Required experience : More than 5 years Professional status : Professional, Engineer & Manager

2026-183941

Published 07.11.2026

Job Description

As a fully owned subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia Pty Ltd (SEDA) delivers and supports various products including high-performance optronics and inertial navigation equipment.

SEDA is experiencing significant growth and is seeking an experienced Software and Firmware Architect. This role is responsible for the design, development, integration, verification, and maintenance of embedded firmware and low-level software for electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor and gyro-stabilised gimbal systems.

Reporting to the Head of Engineering, the Software and Firmware Architect is responsible for developing real-time software on heterogeneous ARM-based system-on-chip (SoC) platforms, such as Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+. This role spans both a hard real-time environment, using FreeRTOS, and a Linux-based environment with time-sensitive constraints on the same board. The position requires interfacing with a variety of hardware, including sensors, actuators, inertial measurement units, imaging systems, and motor controllers. The architect collaborates closely with teams across GNC, electronics, systems, mechanical, optical, and test engineering to deliver robust and high-performance EO/IR products.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own and define the software and firmware architecture across FreeRTOS (hard real-time) and Linux (time-sensitive) environments on the same SoC, including function partitioning and inter-environment interfaces.

Set technical and coding standards and provide architectural governance for firmware and software development across the team.

Lead architecture and design reviews, defending design decisions with customers, subcontractors, and parent company counterparts.

Provide technical direction and mentoring to firmware and software engineers in both environments.

Design, develop, and maintain embedded firmware and software for EO/IR sensors across FreeRTOS and Linux execution environments.

Develop hard real-time firmware in C/C++ for FreeRTOS, with a focus on deterministic processing, task synchronization, interrupt latency, and code optimization.

Develop software for Linux, including kernel-level configuration and modification as needed to meet real-time constraints.

Interface with FPGA-implemented IP blocks via memory-mapped register access (excluding FPGA/RTL design tasks).

Produce software requirements, design documentation, test procedures, and verification evidence.

Complementary Description

We are looking for a candidate who is confident and has the following attributes:

Solid planning skills and stakeholders engagement

Good organizational skills, with the ability to manage technical requirements and

ensure their integration across multiple project areas.

Must display initiative and be proactive in seeking solutions

Well-developed problem-solving skills and analytical mind

Demonstrated ability to multi-task

Strong customer service ethic and interpersonal skills

Ability to build & maintain superior customer relationships

Strong attention to detail

Must be able to work autonomously as well as within a team environment

Interest in advanced defence technologies

Job Requirements

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

Eligibility to obtain and maintain an Australian Defence security clearance to Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) as a minimum.

Strong analytical and structured problem-solving abilities, with the intellectual rigour to make and defend architectural decisions.

Technically authoritative, with the confidence to maintain positions when challenged by customers, subcontractors, or parent company counterparts.

Proactive and anticipatory, able to identify technical risks before they escalate into program issues.

Effective at guiding and developing engineers without relying on direct line management authority.

Collaborative and constructive, skilled at working across organisational and national boundaries.

Maintains high standards for documentation quality and engineering process discipline.

But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in software engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.

Typically, 15+ years' experience in embedded software development.

Postgraduate qualifications in embedded systems or software engineering are advantageous; additional studies in control systems, aerospace engineering, or similar fields are desirable.

Demonstrated experience taking products from prototype through to commercial delivery and field deployment (not just prototype development).

Strong ability to define system architecture, allocate functions across engineering domains, and manage inter-domain interfaces.

Proven experience in establishing and implementing verification and validation (V&V) programs, including development of Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP/ATProcs) and formal acceptance processes with Defence or commercial clients.

Experience leading complex technical and design reviews with customers and subcontractors.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage at executive, program, and technical specialist levels.

Company Information

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Locate your future workplace

109 Pitt Street 2000

Sydney

New South Wales Australia