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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Director of Engineering (EE, Firmware, Software & Cloud) - **Company:** WILLOW INNOVATIONS, INC. - **Location:** United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Amazon Web Services, Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth), C++ (Programming Language), Cloud Computing, Software Quality, Communications Protocols, Computer Engineering, Data Security, Embedded C, Firmware, Mobile Application Software, Systems Development Life Cycle, Real-Time Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, Serial Peripheral Interface, PIC Microcontroller, Hardware Testing, Technical Debt, Information Technology, Api Design, Restful APIs, Microservices - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/sr-director-of-engineering-ee-firmware-software-cloud-willow-innovations-9817548 ## About the Role * Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. * Experience: 12+ years of progressive engineering experience in connected consumer hardware, IoT, or medical devices, with at least 5+ years in engineering leadership (Director level or above). * Multi-Domain Mastery: Demonstrated technical depth across all four required core domains: * Electrical Engineering: Mixed-signal PCB design, low-power battery management, sensor integration, BLE design, and RF compliance. * Firmware: Embedded C/C++, RTOS, microcontroller architectures (e.g., Nordic, STM32), and low-level communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART). * Software & Cloud: Mobile application architecture (iOS/Android), cloud platforms (AWS/GCP), microservices, RESTful APIs, and IoT device management. * Hands-On Capability: Proven ability to remain technical-able to read schematics, evaluate codebases, review system interfaces, and guide architectural decisions without relying solely on delegated oversight. * Vendor Management: Deep experience managing third-party engineering vendors, offshore development teams, and contract manufacturers through full product lifecycles (NPI through mass production)., * Experience in regulated medical devices (FDA 510(k), IEC 62304 software lifecycle) or high-reliability consumer health technologies. * Proven track record of delivering successful, high-volume consumer IoT products from concept through mass manufacturing. * Familiarity with data security, encryption standards for connected hardware, and healthcare privacy compliance (HIPAA/GDPR). ## Description * Act as the chief technical authority across Willow's end-to-end stack: Electrical Engineering (PCBA design, power management, sensors), Firmware (RTOS, low-power BLE), Software (iOS/Android), and Cloud (AWS/GCP, APIs, analytics). * Remain actively engaged in technical execution: drive system-level architecture, lead design reviews (schematics, layout, firmware architecture, API design), and jump in to troubleshoot complex technical bottlenecks. * Define and enforce technical standards, code quality metrics, hardware test procedures, and secure software development lifecycles (SDLC). Team Management & Organizational Growth * Manage, recruit, and mentor a high-performing, multi-disciplinary engineering team across EE, firmware, cloud, and mobile disciplines. * Build a culture of accountability, innovation, technical rigor, and cross-functional collaboration. * Establish career paths, performance management, and continuous learning programs for engineering staff. External Vendor & Partner Orchestration * Direct and manage external development partners, offshore software agencies, specialized design houses, and hardware manufacturing partners (JDM/ODM/CM). * Negotiate statements of work (SOWs), manage vendor budgets, track technical deliverables, and ensure external code/hardware designs meet internal standards. * Establish clear handoff protocols between external development partners and internal sustaining/operations teams. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Execution * Partner closely with Product Management, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Operations to translate product requirements into executable technical roadmaps and project timelines. * Ensure engineering practices comply with relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA medical device software controls, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, HIPAA, and data privacy standards). * Balance technical debt, performance, cost of goods sold (COGS), feature velocity, and product reliability. ## Related Videos - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) - [Cyber Security: Small, and Large!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/259-cyber-security-small-and-large) - [API Design - Getting Started](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/33-api-design-getting-started) - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [When Agents Meet Legacy: Never Change a Running System](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100320-when-agents-meet-legacy-never-change-a-running-system) - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) ## Related Articles - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [The Best Software Developer Blogs to Read](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/156-the-best-software-developer-blogs-to-read) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/166-top-characteristics-of-a-software-engineer)