Director, Embedded Software Development

In-Office, Irvine, CA

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Job ID: R-542722
Category: Research & Development
Location: Irvine, California

Build an engineering career where innovation, ownership and impact move healthcare forward

At BD, Engineering and R&D professionals design, develop and improve the technologies that shape how healthcare is delivered worldwide. You'll apply scientific thinking, technical expertise and creative problem-solving to turn complex challenges into solutions that matter.

Whether you specialize in mechanical, electrical, process, systems, software or research engineering, BD offers the scale, resources and freedom to innovate – with clear expectations, accountability for outcomes and opportunities to grow your career alongside industry-leading technology.

And as one of the world's largest medical technology companies, you'll shape solutions that reach across global healthcare systems and improve lives at scale.

We are the people who give possibilities purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

The Director, Embedded Software Development in the medical device industry is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for guiding day-to-day firmware and embedded software development while actively contributing to design, implementation, debugging, testing, and compliance activities. This role requires deep technical expertise in real-time systems, practical experience with safety-critical software, and working knowledge of standards such as IEC 62304 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.

Job Summary:

The Director, Embedded Software Development will lead an embedded software/firmware engineering team while remaining closely involved in technical execution. The position requires collaborating with hardware, software, systems, quality, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable medical device software from concept through verification, release, and sustaining support.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Execution: Contribute directly to embedded software design, implementation, tool evaluation and selection, code reviews, debugging, integration, and verification activities for medical device products.

Team Leadership & Mentoring: Provide day-to-day technical direction, coaching, and task prioritization for embedded software engineers while fostering strong engineering practices and collaboration.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality: Support compliance with FDA, ISO 13485, and IEC 62304 standards by producing and reviewing software development plans, requirements, design documentation, traceability, verification evidence, and release records.

Embedded Design & Architecture: Develop and guide C/C++ embedded software in Linux/RTOS environments, including drivers, hardware interfaces, control algorithms, diagnostics, and system-level integration.

Test & Troubleshooting: Support bench testing, target testing and debugging, hardware/software integration, defect investigation, and root-cause analysis in collaboration with engineering and quality teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with hardware, systems, applications, product management, manufacturing, and clinical teams to resolve technical issues and ensure embedded software meets product and user needs.

Risk & Cybersecurity: Participate in software risk analysis, cybersecurity threat modeling, hazard mitigations, and verification planning in partnership with systems, quality, and cybersecurity teams.

Project Coordination: Help plan sprint work, track progress, manage technical dependencies, and communicate execution risks while maintaining focus on hands-on delivery.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Engineering degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.

Experience: 10+ years in embedded software development, with experience in regulated environments; medical device experience strongly preferred.

Leadership: 4+ years of experience providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers, or managing small software teams while remaining engaged in hands-on development.

Technical Skills: Strong hands-on proficiency in C/C++ in Linux and/or RTOS environments, with practical experience developing low-level drivers, hardware interfaces, diagnostics, and embedded application software.

Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of IEC 62304, ISO 14971, and FDA software validation expectations, including requirements, traceability, verification, and release documentation.

Travel to vendor and customer sites may be required on an as needed basis.

Preferred Skills & Competencies:

Experience with CI/CD Build Pipelines and target testing methodologies for medical devices.

Expertise in cybersecurity protocols and safety-critical system development.

Proven ability to work with external vendors and partners as required.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.

We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Required Skills

Optional Skills

Primary Work Location

USA CA - Irvine Laguna Canyon

Additional Locations

Work Shift

At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You."

Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.

Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.

Salary Range Information

$179,200.00 - $322,500.00 USD Annual

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Success Profile

What sets successful Engineering and R&D professionals apart? You're likely to thrive if you are:

Analytical
Collaborative
Curious
Detail-oriented
Inventive
Problem-solver

Ready for your next challenge?

This is an environment for engineers who want to think boldly and execute with precision. You'll have the opportunity to influence design decisions, contribute across the full product lifecycle and see how your work moves from concept to real-world impact – backed by the scale of a global MedTech leader.

Hear from one of our BD Innovators about how BD uses cutting-edge AI and machine learning to power decisions that improve patient outcomes and expand access to care. This is where your work drives real-time impact across the globe.

Hear from Our Associates

"BD is a big, global company so don't be afraid to connect with and reach out to others. There is so much to learn here, and the company does an amazing job of helping people develop and grow. I'd also offer to become like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can and put your Career Blueprint to work for you. I really love my job and am so grateful to work at BD."

Elaheh Alizadeh

Director, R&D – San Diego, CA, United States
"I think we have something like more than 30 different countries represented by those working within the Research Centre Ireland, which is impressive and one of my favourite things about BD. I work with electrical, mechanical engineers, scientists and so many others – it's wonderful to see and hear so many different perspectives during the day."

Balaguru Palanivel

Staff Software Test Engineer – Limerick, Ireland
"I continue to be amazed at how we keep innovating in the Med Tech space. We constantly evaluate how to bring even more solutions to healthcare professionals, how to increase the efficiency of our technologies, all while keeping the patient impact in mind. Not only have I found meaningful work at BD, but a place where I feel I can thrive."

Rob Swanda

Staff Engineer – San Diego, CA, United States
"During my interview, I learned how much of an impact our infusion solutions have across the world and I was impressed because whether it's analgesics, cancer treatments, anesthesia or other treatments, the likelihood of someone within your own family using our product is high. Contributing to the creation of products that have the ability to make such a big impact in healthcare is a great feeling. I love my role at BD."

Simon Bello

Senior Director, R&D – San Diego, CA, United States