Lead Software Architect

Lead Software ArchitectPosition Title: Lead Software ArchitectLocation: Bend, OR 97062Industry: Communications EquipmentJob DescriptionPosition Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting full-time Lead Software Architect opportunity. Software architecture across our embedded firmware, application software, and platform-level systems; setting the technical direction for how company's software stack evolves alongside our hardware roadmap. Release ownership - versioning, code freeze discipline, release candidates, firmware bundle creation, and the change-order process that gates production releases. Security ownership - vulnerability management, credential and certificate custody, and the security posture of a product deployed in K-12 schools, including responding to the security reviews our district customers conduct. Leadership of our external development partner, holding outsourced work accountable to architecture, quality, and timeline standards, and making calls informing decisions on what should stay outsourced versus brought in-house over time. Building and leading a small internal software team, starting with yourself and growing to include additional engineers. Close collaboration with Hardware and EE teams, including firmware planning and definition, to ensure software and hardware/firmware decisions are made together rather than in sequence or in silos. Close collaboration with Product Management and Implementation teams, incorporating voice-of-the-customer input, feature definition, and testing support into the software roadmap. Hands-on technical work - this is not a pure management role today. You'll be writing code, reviewing architecture, and making direct design decisions, especially in the first year as the team is small. Use of AI-assisted development tooling to amplify the output of a lean team without sacrificing quality or architectural integrity.Job QualificationsDemonstrated experience as a software architect or senior technical lead across embedded/firmware and application-level software. Track record of defining and documenting software architecture for connected/IoT hardware products, not just greenfield app development. Direct experience with firmware planning and definition, and a working fluency in how software architecture decisions constrain — and are constrained by — hardware and firmware realities. Comfort operating in ambiguity, building process and structure. Experience directing or managing an external/outsourced software development partner; holding a vendor accountable to specs, architecture standards, timelines, and quality. Strong collaborative instincts and communication skills; this role requires taking input from and coordinating closely with hardware/EE peers and navigating disagreement constructively. 7+ years of software engineering experience, including in an architect or senior technical leadership capacity. Production-level experience with a systems language. Go is preferred, but strong C or C++ experience is also acceptable. Experience in IoT, embedded systems, or connected hardware products strongly preferred; audio-specific experience is a nice-to-have, not a requirement. Direct experience managing or mentoring a small team (2-5 people) is expected.Job DetailsJob Type: Direct Hire Salary Range: $168K-183K Location: Tualatin, OR Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer.About ProtingentProtingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We're passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.