# 347: Be Careful About the Bits

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-10-08
- Length: 56m
- Episode: 347
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-08-347-be-careful-about-the-bits
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/347-be-careful-about-the-bits

## Summary

Elecia White and Christopher White discuss API design strategies for embedded systems, emphasizing the use of abstraction layers and the POSIX model (open, close, read, write) to manage hardware interactions. They address a listener's question about organizing firmware modules, suggesting block diagrams to define hardware, control flow, and layered interfaces. The hosts also tackle a career dilemma involving a startup engineer who feels demoted after being acquired by Big Tech and assigned to work with a senior 'gray-beard' engineer, advising on how to navigate team dynamics and imposter syndrome.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-08-347-be-careful-about-the-bits#t=6) Introduction and Personal Projects
- [7:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-08-347-be-careful-about-the-bits#t=446) Firmware Architecture and Abstraction Layers
- [19:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-08-347-be-careful-about-the-bits#t=1185) Designing APIs and Module Organization
- [30:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-08-347-be-careful-about-the-bits#t=1836) Career Advice: Startup to Big Tech Transition
- [41:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-08-347-be-careful-about-the-bits#t=2481) Managing Senior Engineers and Team Dynamics

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Stewart MacDonald (company)
- SewMac (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S2 E1: From Code to Creation: The Building Blocks of Firmware with Elecia White](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2023-11-28-s2-e1-from-code-to-creation-the-building-blocks-of-firmware-with-elecia-white) (The Builder Circle)
- [Hipster Fodder](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-08-25-hipster-fodder) (The Amp Hour)
- [Crossover with Mob Mentality part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-10-16-crossover-with-mob-mentality-part-1) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Christmas Special](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-12-22-christmas-special) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Firmware for Hardware Engineers with Phillip Johnston](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-09-07-firmware-for-hardware-engineers-with-phillip-johnston) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-10-08-347-be-careful-about-the-bits. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.