About the position
Our client in Cape Town has a vacancy for an Embedded Developer to join thier dynamic team.
Job Purpose
To design, develop, and implement critical software and firmware for embedded devices that power seamless and efficient public transport systems.
Play a key role in shaping the technical direction of projects, mentoring junior engineers, and driving innovation in AFC and APTMS technologies.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and development of embedded software and firmware for AFC terminals, validators, onboard units, and other related hardware within APTMS.
- Architect and implement complex software modules, including secure payment processing, contactless communication protocols (e.g., NFC, RFID), GPS/GNSS integration, and real-time data acquisition and processing for vehicle tracking and management.
- Work closely with hardware engineers and system architects to define system requirements specific to AFC and APTMS, optimize hardware-software interfaces, and troubleshoot transport-related hardware issues.
- Develop and maintain secure build systems, test frameworks adhering to industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS for payment systems), and CI/CD pipelines for embedded software in a regulated environment.
- Perform rigorous testing and debugging of embedded systems, ensuring compliance with transport industry regulations, reliability, performance under high transaction loads, and robust security.
Optimize code for resource-constrained embedded devices used in transport, focusing on power efficiency for mobile units and responsiveness for real-time interactions.
Contribute to the development of detailed technical documentation, including security specifications, communication protocols, and integration guides for AFC and APTMS components.
- Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product management, transport authorities, QA, and deployment teams.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior developers working on transport-related projects.
- Participate in code reviews, emphasizing security and compliance requirements specific to AFC and APTMS.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 10 + years of professional experience in embedded systems software development.
- Expertise in programming languages such as C and C++. Experience with other languages like Python or Rust is a plus. Experience with Java or other languages relevant to backend integration is also a plus.
- Strong understanding of embedded systems architectures, secure microcontrollers, and hardware security modules (HSM).
- Proficient in working with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or embedded Linux with a focus on reliability and determinism.
- Extensive experience with debugging tools and methodologies for complex embedded systems.
- Solid understanding of communication protocols relevant to AFC/APTMS (e.g., ISO 14443, ISO 7816, RS-485, Ethernet).
- Experience with secure payment processing and relevant security standards (e.g., PCI PTS, EMV) is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with GPS/GNSS technologies and their integration in embedded systems for tracking and positioning.
- Experience with build systems, version control systems (e.g., Git), and secure development practices.
- Experience with test-driven development (TDD) and automated testing frameworks, with a focus on security and compliance testing.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues in integrated hardware-software systems.
- Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, particularly when interacting with stakeholders in the transport sector.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a demanding and regulated environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with developing software for contactless payment terminals or smart card readers.
- Knowledge of transport industry standards and regulations related to AFC and APTMS.
- Experience with secure over-the-air (OTA) update mechanisms for embedded devices.
- Familiarity with backend systems and data communication protocols used in transport management.
- Experience with cryptographic libraries and secure communication protocols (e.g., TLS/SSL).
- Contributions to relevant open-source projects or security research.
- Experience with agile development methodologies in a regulated industry.
Desired Skills:
