Senior Systems Engineer
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer
- Company: Silicon Labs
- Location: Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
- Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
- Category: Systems Engineering, IoT
- Date Posted: 2025-05-26
- Experience Level: 5-10 years
🚀 Role Summary
- Drive IoT hardware and software roadmaps by researching and generating technical requirements for Silicon Labs' products.
- Collaborate with product marketing, customers, and internal teams to ensure system features meet customers' requirements.
- Use a requirements management tool to capture and track market and product requirements.
- Provide technical support to customer-facing teams and develop internal collateral.
- Improve systems team processes and publish technical whitepapers.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of wireless communication protocols and embedded system design, with a focus on IoT applications and standards.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Research and Requirements Generation: Investigate targeted applications and technologies, and create technical requirements for Silicon Labs' IoT products.
- Collaboration: Work with product marketing, customers, and internal teams to ensure requirements meet market needs and align with product roadmaps.
- Requirements Management: Use a requirements management tool to capture, track, and document market and product requirements.
- Technical Support: Provide the deepest level of technical support to customer-facing teams and internal audiences.
- Process Improvement: Develop and improve systems team processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Training and Documentation: Train internal audiences on new applications, features, and technologies, and publish technical whitepapers.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of technical depth and breadth, with a focus on IoT applications, wireless communication protocols, and embedded system design.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: BSc or MSc in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
Experience: 7+ years of industry experience in embedded systems, wireless communication, or a related field.
Required Skills:
- Extensive knowledge of Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols, covering all layers of the stack.
- Strong understanding of embedded microcontroller architectures and features.
- Good understanding of embedded application design: requirement analysis, HW design, firmware and application development, bench evaluation, and debugging.
- Hands-on experience with radio firmware development at the PHY and MAC layers.
- Proficiency in developing and debugging wireless communication protocols.
- Experience with IoT communication protocols such as Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, TCP/IP, or Wi-Sun.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Proficiency in using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators.
- Experience with modern project management tools (Confluence, Jira, Portfolio Manager, MS Project, etc.).
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the semiconductor industry.
- In-depth understanding of hardware IP architecture, development, and verification.
- Experience in embedded software development, including firmware and peripheral handling.
- Knowledge of the IP design process for analog or digital IP.
- Proficiency with electronic bench test equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
- Experience with one or more Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS, uc/OS, or Zephyr.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on IoT and wireless communication, candidates with experience in relevant standards, protocols, and embedded system design will be most competitive.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of wireless communication protocols and embedded system design through relevant projects.
- Showcase experience with IoT communication protocols and standards.
- Highlight proficiency in using lab equipment and project management tools.
- Include any published technical whitepapers or internal collateral developed.
Technical Documentation:
- Document technical requirements and system-level solutions or optimizations using a requirements management tool.
- Showcase experience with modern project management tools and their application in requirements tracking.
- Include any relevant technical specifications, benchmarks, or performance metrics.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on requirements generation and documentation, candidates should emphasize their experience with requirements management tools and technical documentation in their portfolio.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €65,000 - €85,000 per year (based on market research for Senior Systems Engineers in Espoo, Finland, with 5-10 years of experience)
Benefits:
- Occupational healthcare
- Lunch benefit
- Exercise & Culture opportunities
- Benefit bike
- Own gym and sauna in the office space available
- Hybrid working schedule
- Paid days for philanthropy/volunteering
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling for hybrid work arrangements.
📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on market research for Senior Systems Engineers in Espoo, Finland. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and company-specific policies.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Silicon Labs operates in the semiconductor industry, focusing on low-power wireless connectivity solutions for IoT, industrial, and smart home applications.
Company Size: Medium-sized company with over 1,500 employees worldwide, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: 1998, with a strong track record in low-power wireless connectivity and embedded technology.
Team Structure:
- The Systems Team is responsible for generating technical requirements for Silicon Labs' products.
- The team collaborates with Product Marketing, Engineering, and Customer Support to ensure requirements meet market needs and align with product roadmaps.
- The team consists of systems engineers with expertise in wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications.
Development Methodology:
- Silicon Labs uses an Agile development methodology, with a focus on customer needs and market requirements.
- The company emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Systems engineers work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure requirements are well-defined, feasible, and aligned with product roadmaps.
Company Website: www.silabs.com
📝 Enhancement Note: Silicon Labs' focus on low-power wireless connectivity and embedded technology provides ample opportunities for candidates with expertise in wireless communication protocols and IoT applications.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: Senior Systems Engineer roles require a strong understanding of wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications. Candidates in this role can expect to work on complex projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive product roadmaps.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Manager of Systems Engineering, with a matrixed reporting structure to other teams such as Product Marketing and Engineering.
Technical Impact: Senior Systems Engineers at Silicon Labs have a significant impact on the company's product roadmaps, ensuring that products meet market needs and comply with relevant standards and regulations.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Growth: Deepen expertise in wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications through hands-on projects and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Leadership Growth: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior team members, driving process improvements, and contributing to strategic decision-making.
- Product Management Growth: Gain experience in product management by collaborating with Product Marketing and contributing to product roadmap development.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on requirements generation and documentation, candidates should emphasize their experience with requirements management tools and technical documentation in their portfolio.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Silicon Labs' Espoo office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate innovation and cross-functional collaboration.
Office Location(s): Espoo, Finland
Workspace Context:
- The office features multiple workspaces, including dedicated areas for hardware and software development, testing, and collaboration.
- Employees have access to state-of-the-art equipment, tools, and resources to support their work.
- The office encourages a healthy work-life balance, with on-site fitness facilities and regular team-building activities.
Work Schedule: Hybrid work arrangement, with a flexible schedule that balances remote work and on-site collaboration.
📝 Enhancement Note: Silicon Labs' focus on collaboration and innovation provides an ideal work environment for candidates with expertise in wireless communication protocols and IoT applications.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Phone Screen (30 minutes): A brief conversation to assess communication skills and technical fit for the role.
- Technical Deep Dive (60 minutes): A detailed discussion of the candidate's technical background, experience with wireless communication protocols, and embedded system design.
- Behavioral and Cultural Fit Interview (45 minutes): An assessment of the candidate's problem-solving skills, teamwork, and cultural fit with Silicon Labs.
- Final Interview with Hiring Manager (30 minutes): A discussion of the candidate's qualifications, career goals, and fit for the role and team.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight relevant projects that demonstrate expertise in wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications.
- Include any published technical whitepapers or internal collateral developed.
- Emphasize experience with requirements management tools and technical documentation.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications.
- Prepare for questions related to requirements generation, documentation, and project management.
- Familiarize yourself with Silicon Labs' products and market focus.
ATS Keywords: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Embedded Microcontroller Architectures, Embedded Application Design, Radio Firmware Development, Wireless Communication Protocols, IoT Communication Protocols, Requirements Management, Project Management Tools, Agile Development, Semiconductor Industry, Low-Power Wireless Connectivity, IoT Applications, Systems Engineering, Technical Documentation, Technical Whitepapers.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications, candidates should emphasize their relevant experience and expertise in their application and interview preparation.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Wireless Communication Protocols:
- Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols, covering all layers of the stack (PHY, MAC, Link Layer, L2CAP, GATT, GAP, etc.)
- 802.15.4 networking stacks, such as Zigbee or Thread
- IoT communication protocols such as Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, TCP/IP, or Wi-Sun
Embedded System Design:
- Embedded microcontroller architectures and features
- Embedded application design: requirement analysis, HW design, firmware and application development, bench evaluation, and debugging
- Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS, uc/OS, or Zephyr
Requirements Management Tools:
- Modern project management tools (Confluence, Jira, Portfolio Manager, MS Project, etc.)
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications, candidates should emphasize their relevant experience and expertise in their application and interview preparation.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Systems Engineering Values:
- Customer Focus: Prioritize customer needs and market requirements in all aspects of the role.
- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure requirements are well-defined, feasible, and aligned with product roadmaps.
- Innovation: Continuously learn and explore new wireless communication protocols, embedded system design techniques, and IoT applications.
- Quality: Ensure requirements are well-documented, tested, and meet the highest standards for accuracy and completeness.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with Product Marketing, Engineering, and Customer Support to ensure requirements meet market needs and align with product roadmaps.
- Code Review Culture: Collaborate with team members to review and refine requirements, ensuring they are well-defined, feasible, and aligned with product roadmaps.
- Knowledge Sharing: Share expertise and insights with team members to enhance collective knowledge and skills.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications, candidates should emphasize their relevant experience and expertise in their application and interview preparation.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Protocol Complexity: Develop a deep understanding of wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications to generate accurate and comprehensive requirements.
- Market Evolution: Stay up-to-date with emerging wireless communication protocols, embedded system design techniques, and IoT applications to ensure requirements remain relevant and competitive.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work effectively with Product Marketing, Engineering, and Customer Support to ensure requirements meet market needs and align with product roadmaps.
- Requirements Management: Develop and maintain a requirements management system that captures, tracks, and documents market and product requirements accurately and efficiently.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Skill Development: Deepen expertise in wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications through hands-on projects, training, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior team members, driving process improvements, and contributing to strategic decision-making.
- Product Management Experience: Gain experience in product management by collaborating with Product Marketing and contributing to product roadmap development.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications, candidates should emphasize their relevant experience and expertise in their application and interview preparation.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Wireless Communication Protocols: Prepare for in-depth discussions of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, 802.15.4 networking stacks, and IoT communication protocols.
- Embedded System Design: Brush up on embedded microcontroller architectures, embedded application design, and real-time operating systems.
- Requirements Management: Familiarize yourself with modern project management tools and their application in requirements tracking.
- Product Roadmap Development: Prepare for questions related to product roadmap development, market analysis, and competitive landscape assessment.
Company & Culture Questions:
- Company Culture: Research Silicon Labs' company culture, values, and mission to demonstrate a strong fit for the role and team.
- Team Dynamics: Prepare for questions related to teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving in a cross-functional environment.
- Career Growth: Articulate your career goals, aspirations, and plans for growth within Silicon Labs.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Project Selection: Choose projects that demonstrate expertise in wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications.
- Technical Walkthrough: Prepare a detailed, structured walkthrough of your projects, highlighting your role, the technologies used, and the outcomes achieved.
- User Experience Focus: Emphasize the user experience and market impact of your projects, demonstrating your ability to generate requirements that meet customer needs.
📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications, candidates should emphasize their relevant experience and expertise in their application and interview preparation.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Systems Engineer position at Silicon Labs:
- Customize Your Application: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your expertise in wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and IoT applications.
- Prepare Your Portfolio: Select projects that demonstrate your relevant experience and expertise, and prepare a detailed, structured walkthrough for the interview.
- Research Silicon Labs: Familiarize yourself with Silicon Labs' products, market focus, and company culture to demonstrate a strong fit for the role and team.
- Practice Technical Interviews: Brush up on wireless communication protocols, embedded system design, and requirements management to ensure you're well-prepared for the technical deep dive and final interview.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Silicon Labs before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have a BSc or MSc in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with 7+ years of experience, along with extensive knowledge of Bluetooth protocols and embedded microcontroller architectures. Hands-on experience with radio firmware development and proficiency in using lab equipment is also required.