Skill Profile

C Programming

This skill defines expectations across roles and levels.

Embedded & IoT Embedded Programming

Roles

where this skill appears

Levels

structured growth path

Mandatory requirements

the other 5 optional

Embedded & IoT

Embedded Programming

2/22/2026

Choose your current level and compare expectations. The items below show what to cover to advance to the next level.

What is Expected at Each Level

The table shows how skill depth grows from Junior to Principal. Click a row to see details.

Role	Required	Description
Systems Programmer (C/C++)		Knows C basics: pointers, structs, memory management via malloc/free. Writes simple system utilities and kernel modules under mentor guidance, understands undefined behavior.

Role	Required	Description
Systems Programmer (C/C++)		Confidently programs in C at system level: works with function pointers, volatile, bit fields. Writes drivers and kernel modules following coding standards.

Role	Required	Description
Systems Programmer (C/C++)		Expert C programming for systems: optimizes code for cache lines, applies memory barriers, develops lock-free data structures using atomic operations.

Role	Required	Description
Systems Programmer (C/C++)		Defines C coding standards for the systems team. Introduces MISRA C/CERT C, establishes guidelines for safe memory management and UB prevention in kernel modules.

Role	Required	Description
Systems Programmer (C/C++)		Shapes enterprise C usage strategy in organizational system software. Defines approaches to C11/C17 migration, codebase certification, mentors lead architects.

Junior 1 requirements

Systems Programmer (C/C++)

Knows C basics: pointers, structs, memory management via malloc/free. Writes simple system utilities and kernel modules under mentor guidance, understands undefined behavior.

Middle 1 requirements

Systems Programmer (C/C++)

Confidently programs in C at system level: works with function pointers, volatile, bit fields. Writes drivers and kernel modules following coding standards.

Senior 1 requirements

Systems Programmer (C/C++)

Expert C programming for systems: optimizes code for cache lines, applies memory barriers, develops lock-free data structures using atomic operations.

Lead / Staff 1 requirements

Systems Programmer (C/C++)

Defines C coding standards for the systems team. Introduces MISRA C/CERT C, establishes guidelines for safe memory management and UB prevention in kernel modules.

Principal 1 requirements

Systems Programmer (C/C++)

Shapes enterprise C usage strategy in organizational system software. Defines approaches to C11/C17 migration, codebase certification, mentors lead architects.

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