Freelance Embedded Software Engineer (Safety-Critical Systems)
Location: Ulm, Munich or wider Bavaria region (Hybrid preferred)
Contract Type: Freelance / Contractor
Start Date: September 2026
Duration: Initial 12-month contract with strong extension potential
Industry: Safety-Critical Embedded Systems (Automotive, Aerospace, Rail, Industrial Automation, Medical Devices)
About the Opportunity
We are seeking multiple experienced Freelance Embedded Software Engineer to support the development of next-generation safety-critical products. This is a long-term opportunity to work on technically challenging systems that operate in highly regulated environments where reliability, performance and robustness are essential.
The role would suit engineers from automotive, aerospace, rail, industrial automation, defence, medical device or other safety-critical sectors who enjoy working close to hardware and operating system level software.
You’ll join a multidisciplinary engineering team developing innovative products and solving complex technical challenges from concept through to verification and release. The client are looking for a total of 20 consultant to push the program forward.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop embedded software for complex safety-critical systems.
- Lead and coordinate software development activities from requirements through to integration and verification.
- Design, develop, integrate and optimise software components running on real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Implement software interfaces between application layers, middleware and operating system components.
- Develop operating system-related software including device drivers, kernel-level components and system services.
- Participate in software architecture reviews, design reviews and requirements analysis.
- Support verification, validation and troubleshooting activities, documenting and communicating results effectively.
- Contribute to new product development and continuous improvement initiatives within cross-functional engineering teams.
- Define technical approaches and support decision-making to ensure compliance with product requirements and development objectives.
- Collaborate closely with systems, hardware, verification and project teams throughout the development lifecycle.
Required Skills & Experience
- Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics or a related technical discipline.
- Significant experience developing embedded software in commercial products.
- Strong experience translating technical requirements into robust software solutions.
- Excellent embedded C programming skills and strong understanding of low-level, hardware-near development.
- Experience with microcontrollers and embedded architectures.
- Understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns and embedded software frameworks.
- Experience working with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and technical decision-making skills.
- Fluent English communication skills (written and spoken).
- German language skills desirable (B1 level or above preferred).
Desirable Experience
- Multi-core or multi-processor embedded systems.
- Functional safety or safety-critical development environments.
- Experience within automotive (ISO 26262), aerospace (DO-178C), rail (EN 50128), medical devices (IEC 62304), industrial automation or similar regulated industries.
- Device driver, BSP or kernel-level development experience.
- Experience in certification or compliance-driven software development processes.
- Knowledge of verification, validation and software quality assurance activities.