Firmware Engineer - Early Career

Kickstart Your Career in Embedded Software Engineering

Interested in embedded systems, C/C++, Linux, and how software interacts with real hardware? Trimble is looking for an early-career engineer to join our Christchurch team and help build next-generation GNSS technology used on major infrastructure and construction projects worldwide. You'll work alongside experienced engineers while developing valuable real-world embedded systems experience.

About Us

Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it's helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress.

Field Systems: The Trimble Field Systems segment provides connected hardware and software solutions that empower customers to drive productivity and progress.

What Makes This Role Great

This is a unique opportunity to join a highly collaborative Christchurch engineering team working on the embedded firmware that powers Trimble's global GNSS technology. You won't just be building software for a screen — you'll be developing the "brain" behind precision positioning systems used to help build roads, bridges, railways, mines and major infrastructure projects around the world. Here's a preview of our related technology: Trimble R980 GNSS System and Trimble R750 Modular System

You'll work closely with experienced senior engineers who will help mentor and grow your skills as you transition deeper into Embedded Linux and complex embedded systems development. If you have strong embedded fundamentals, curiosity, and a passion for understanding how hardware and software work together, we'll help you grow into the role.

We are intentionally open to early-career engineers with strong learning potential, whether your experience comes from university projects, internships, hobby projects, or early professional experience.

Key Exciting Responsibilities

• Design, code, debug, and test embedded software primarily using C and C++ within resource-constrained and real-time environments.

• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to bring new boards and peripherals to life, troubleshooting hardware-software interactions and verifying system behaviour.

• Work with technologies including GNSS receivers, cellular modems, Bluetooth modules, and radio communications systems.

• Support hardware bring-up activities using tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and debugging tools to diagnose and solve technical issues.

• Contribute to Trimble's next-generation Embedded Linux platform while learning from experienced engineers across firmware, hardware, and systems teams.

• Explore and understand large embedded codebases, gradually taking greater ownership of features, bug fixes, and maintenance activities as your experience grows.

• Collaborate with local Christchurch teams and global engineering groups to deliver high-quality solutions used by customers around the world.

Essential Skills & Experience

• You have a solid foundation in C/C++ programming and an understanding of embedded systems fundamentals.

• You are curious about how software interacts with physical hardware and enjoy solving technical problems.

• You are comfortable learning new tools, technologies, and development environments.

• You possess a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

• You are a collaborative communicator who enjoys working as part of a supportive engineering team.

• You don't need to be an Embedded Linux expert on day one, if you have strong fundamentals and a genuine drive to learn, we'd love to hear from you.

Bonus Points For

• Experience with personal, university, or hobby embedded projects using Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32, ESP32, or similar platforms.

• Exposure to RTOS environments such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, eCos, or VxWorks.

• An interest in Embedded Linux concepts such as Device Trees, Buildroot, kernel modules, or driver development.

• Python or Shell scripting experience for automation or testing.

• Internship, project, or coursework experience related to embedded systems, electronics, firmware, GNSS, radio systems, or IoT devices.

Logistics

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand - In Office

Travel Requirement: Low

Why You'll Love Working With Us

At Trimble, we're not just a company that "does good"—we are a team dedicated to making a tangible, positive Real-World Impact. We build innovative solutions designed to solve the world's most critical challenges. From construction sites to transportation hubs, our work tangibly improves how people live, build, move, and grow.

You'll work on projects that truly matter: Our purpose-driven culture means you'll be helping to build and deliver solutions that make work faster, safer, and more sustainable for millions of people worldwide. Our impact is tangible, from connected machines that save fuel to data-driven insights that reduce waste.

Collaborate with like-minded people: Our strong internal culture is a "hidden gem." You will work with a collaborative, supportive team that shares your purpose and fosters a genuine sense of belonging. We're a company of practical innovators who think boldly and build technology that works in the real world.

Grow your career with us: You'll have the opportunity to learn from experienced engineers, develop highly sought-after embedded systems skills, and work on globally used products while building your career in a supportive environment.

Embedded Software Engineer, Embedded Systems Engineer, Firmware Engineer, C++, C, Embedded Linux, GNSS, RTOS, Hardware Bring-up, Embedded Systems, Microcontroller, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Linux, IoT, Firmware Development

How to Apply: Please submit an online application for this position by clicking on the 'Apply Now' button located in this posting.

Join a Values-Driven Team: Belong, Grow, Innovate.

At Trimble, our core values of Belong, Grow, and Innovate aren't just words—they're the foundation of our culture. We foster an environment where you are seen, heard, and valued (Belong); where you have an opportunity to build a career and drive our collective growth (Grow); and where your innovative ideas shape the future (Innovate). We believe in empowering local teams to create impactful strategies, ensuring our global vision resonates with every individual. Become part of a team where your contributions truly matter.

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