The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Real-time/embedded systems development RESD

Designing and developing reliable real-time software typically within embedded systems.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Content changes have been made to levels 2, 3, and 4.
  • Guidance notes have been updated to reference contemporary examples and applications of the skill
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Embedded systems provide dedicated functionality within a larger mechanical or electronic system, often with constraints related to real-time performance, safety, security, and reliability. These systems typically interface with hardware, sensors, and actuators, supporting critical operations in industrial, automotive, aerospace, medical, or robotic equipment, as well as in IoT (Internet of Things) devices and intelligent systems.

These systems usually perform essential functions and have strict requirements for integrity, reliability, safety, security, and power consumption.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • defining non-functional system requirements such as performance, reliability, safety, and security, as well as constraints like power, cost, physical space, or response time
  • building in fail-safe or secure characteristics to support graceful degradation
  • applying specialised techniques to ensure systems meet their critical attributes
  • employing comprehensive methods for validation, verification, and testing
  • using virtual or model-based development approaches to simulate, test, and optimise systems throughout the development lifecycle
  • using specialised tools for real-time program and system analysis, validation, and debugging.

    Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

    Where lower levels are not defined...
    • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
    Where higher levels are not defined...
    • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

    Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

    The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

    Where lower levels are not defined...

    You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

    • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
    • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
    • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
    Where higher levels are not defined...
    • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

    Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

    Levels of responsibility for this skill

    2 3 4 5 6

    Real-time/embedded systems development: Level 2

    Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

    Designs, builds and tests simple real-time/embedded components as part of an overall larger systems design.

    Uses appropriate programming languages to drive simple sensors and actuators.

    Applies specialised tools for real-time program analysis and system debugging.

    Real-time/embedded systems development: Level 3

    Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

    Designs, builds and integrates medium-complexity real-time/embedded components as part of an overall larger systems design.

    Follows agreed standards and uses specialised tools for system analysis and optimisation.

    Drives specialist hardware, typically sensors and actuators, and optimises component code for performance.

    Applies a range of approaches to the verification and testing of real-time components.

    Real-time/embedded systems development: Level 4

    Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

    Designs, builds and integrates complex real-time/embedded components and sub-systems.

    Designs physical layouts that reflect the connection between system components to test and optimise performance.

    Builds system prototypes and simulations to aid development and enable debugging, testing and troubleshooting of embedded software.

    Applies a range of approaches to the validation, verification, and testing of real-time components and sub-systems, using a variety of specialist tools for system analysis and optimisation.

    Real-time/embedded systems development: Level 5

    Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

    Designs and develops real-time/embedded architectures and systems to meet agreed system requirements.

    Plans and manages the development of complex real-time/embedded systems and selects the approaches and techniques to be used.

    Analyses design options and trade-offs between hardware and software, makes recommendations and assesses and manages associated risks. Ensures effective validation, verification and testing is undertaken throughout development.

    Oversees the integration of multiple sub-systems into the overall system.

    Real-time/embedded systems development: Level 6

    Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

    Provides overall direction and leadership in the development of real-time/embedded systems.

    Develops organisational policies, standards and guidelines for real-time/embedded systems architectures and designs.

    Plans and leads strategic, large and complex real-time/embedded system developments. Identifies opportunities to exploit new technologies and improve existing technologies and practices.

    Drives adherence to technical strategies, systems architectures and the implementation of risk-based verification, validation and testing. Develops effective implementation and procurement strategies.

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