Embedded Systems Software Engineer

BSP stands for Board Support Package. It is a critical software layer that enables a specific operating system to run correctly on a particular hardware board. A BSP developer's role involves low-level programming that bridges the gap between the software and the hardware. The responsibilities of an engineer specializing in Board Support Packages generally include : Board bring-up : Initializing the processor, memory, and peripherals to get a new board functioning. Driver development : Creating custom device drivers for peripherals like USB, Ethernet, display controllers, and other hardware-specific components. Bootloader work : Developing or porting the bootloader (such as U-Boot) to load and run the operating system from flash memory. OS porting : Adapting and configuring an operating system (like Embedded Linux, Android, or an RTOS like QNX or VxWorks) to a specific hardware platform. Performance optimization : Tuning the software to maximize performance and efficiency within the hardware's constraints. Debugging : Using specialized tools like JTAG debuggers, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers to troubleshoot low-level software issues. Configuration : Managing system configurations, often using tools like the Yocto Project or Buildroot to create custom Linux images. Key skills sought in BSP hiring C and C++ programming : Expertise in these languages for low-level development. Embedded Linux experience : Deep knowledge of the Linux kernel, kernel programming, and device driver development. Hardware knowledge : An understanding of hardware schematics, datasheets, and hardware protocols (e.G., I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, USB). Processor architecture : Familiarity with CPU architectures such as ARM, x86, PowerPC, or Qualcomm. Debugging skills : Proficiency with hardware debugging tools. Operating system concepts : Strong understanding of concepts like memory management, scheduling, and process communication. Build systems : Experience with build tools like Yocto or Buildroot for creating custom embedded system images.