Timesys
Pittsburgh embedded Linux specialist and founding Yocto Project member, now part of Lynx Software Technologies
Founded 1995 | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | Not published employees
embedded-linuxfirmware-developmentsecure-firmware-updatesfirmware-consulting
What is Timesys?
Timesys was founded in Pittsburgh in 1995 and built its reputation as a founding member of the Yocto Project, one of the two dominant embedded Linux build systems alongside Buildroot. The company's LinuxLink platform and development-support services cover custom board support package creation, security patch tracking, and long-term maintenance for embedded Linux products, work that is narrower than general firmware development but goes deeper into that one area than most generalist firms can. Lynx Software Technologies, a real-time operating system and safety-critical software vendor, acquired Timesys in 2023, folding its embedded Linux practice into a broader RTOS and hypervisor product line.
Timesys works primarily with clients in Industrial, Networking, Consumer electronics, Automotive sectors. Its primary differentiator is: Founding Yocto Project member with three decades of embedded Linux build-system and security-maintenance depth.
Timesys tech stack and services
Yocto ProjectEmbedded LinuxBuildrootBoard Support Packages
| Service area |
|---|
| Embedded Linux |
| Firmware Development |
| Secure Firmware Updates |
| Firmware Consulting |
Timesys pricing
Short answer: Timesys uses a support contracts, consultation, and custom development engagements pricing approach. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed; a discovery call is required.
| Engagement model | Typical range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Support contracts | Variable; depends on team size | Large programmes or team augmentation |
| Consultation | Variable; depends on team size | Large programmes or team augmentation |
| Custom BSP development | Variable; depends on team size | Large programmes or team augmentation |
Timesys does not publish a public rate card. Contact them directly via their website to get project-specific pricing.
Timesys pros and cons
| Advantages | Things to consider |
|---|---|
| +Founding member of the Yocto Project, one of the two standard embedded Linux build systems in the industry | -The 2023 acquisition by Lynx Software Technologies means Timesys now operates as part of a larger RTOS vendor rather than an independent consultancy |
| +Three decades of operating history focused specifically on embedded Linux rather than firmware in general | -Its specialty is embedded Linux specifically, so RTOS-only or bare-metal MCU projects are a narrower fit than for a generalist firmware vendor |
| +Security patch tracking and long-term maintenance services address a gap most project-based firmware vendors don't cover after delivery | -Public team size and pricing figures are not published |
| +Acquisition by Lynx Software Technologies in 2023 connects its Linux practice to a broader RTOS and hypervisor product line |
Timesys vs alternatives
How Timesys compares to the other top Firmware Development companies.
| Company | Best for | Key difference | Rating | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemberg Solutions | RTOS and secure-firmware projects needing chip-vendor partnerships. | Direct NXP, STMicroelectronics, and Microchip partner status combined with an in-house hardware lab for board bring-up | 4.8 | Full comparison |
| Product Creation Studio | Medical device firmware bundled with industrial and mechanical... | ISO 13485-certified product studio building firmware alongside the physical device rather than as a separate line item | 4.6 | Full comparison |
| Conclusive Engineering | Automotive and healthcare firmware needing ISO 26262 or... | Nordic Semiconductor and Texas Instruments partner status paired with FreeBSD depth most embedded firms don't carry | 4.5 | Full comparison |
| Voler Systems | Ultra-low-power wearable and biomedical sensor firmware. | 46 years of continuous operation with a firmware practice built specifically around ultra-low-power wearable constraints | 4.5 | Full comparison |
| DE Design Works | Combined electronics and firmware design for small to... | Firmware as a core service for more than 20 years rather than a capability added onto product design | 4.4 | Full comparison |
| NOVO Engineering | Multi-disciplinary product programs spanning mechanical, electrical, and firmware. | Systems-engineering team averaging 16 years of experience per engineer across medical, biotech, and industrial product lines | 4.4 | Full comparison |
| ByteSnap Design | Connected-device firmware needing in-house wireless and electronics design. | Wireless protocol breadth across ZigBee, LoRa, Wi-Fi, BLE, and GSM combined with in-house electronics design | 4.3 | Full comparison |
| Emcraft Systems | System-on-module hardware paired with a maintained Linux or... | Self-maintained Linux and RTOS board support packages sold together with the ARM hardware modules that run them | 4.3 | Full comparison |
| Promwad | Automotive and telecom firmware bundled with electronics and... | ASIL-C functional-safety experience in automotive ECU and infotainment work alongside full-stack electronics design | 4.3 | Full comparison |
| WebbyLab | Full-cycle IoT programs spanning firmware, cloud, and mobile. | Full-cycle delivery from hardware selection through firmware and the connected application layer under one team | 4.3 | Full comparison |
| InTechHouse | Enterprise programs needing a publicly disclosed, EU-certified R&D... | Publicly listed on Warsaw's NewConnect market since 2015, giving financial transparency most private firmware vendors don't offer | 4.2 | Full comparison |
| Droid Technologies | Embedded GUI and HMI development on LVGL, TouchGFX,... | Embedded GUI and HMI development as the lead specialty, covering LVGL, TouchGFX, Qt, and Embedded Wizard | 4.3 | Full comparison |
| Ignitec | Wearable technology firmware combined with electronics and mechanical... | Wearable-technology engineering combining electronics, mechanical design, and firmware under strict power and size budgets | 4.3 | Full comparison |
| USA Firmware | Small to mid-size programs wanting one accountable firmware... | Managed design services spanning electrical engineering, firmware, FPGA, and Linux under a single discovery-to-production process | 4.2 | Full comparison |
| CMD MedTech | Small medical device programs needing close, senior-level regulatory... | Woman-owned small business built specifically around medical device systems, software, and regulatory support | 4.2 | Full comparison |
| Embitel Technologies | Automotive ECU and infotainment firmware at production scale. | Automotive-specific ECU and infotainment depth as a wholly owned Volkswagen Group subsidiary | 4.2 | Full comparison |
| Elektrobit (EB) | Large-scale automotive firmware programs requiring ASIL D certification. | ASIL D-certified automotive software running in more than 600 million vehicles as a Continental subsidiary | 4.2 | Full comparison |
| Witekio | IoT firmware programs that also need component sourcing... | Avnet subsidiary status connects embedded software delivery directly to component distribution and supply chain | 4.1 | Full comparison |
| Klika Tech | IoT firmware designed around an AWS-based cloud backend... | AWS IoT and DevOps competency partner status combined with STMicroelectronics hardware partnership | 4.1 | Full comparison |
| Oxalis Design | Small connected-device programs needing direct access to senior... | Founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached | 4.1 | Full comparison |
| Lobaro GmbH | LoRaWAN and low-power wide-area network firmware for industrial... | LoRa Alliance membership and Nordic Semiconductor design partner status with deep LPWAN protocol experience | 4.0 | Full comparison |
| NeuronicWorks | Firmware programs that need to carry through to... | In-house path from firmware and hardware design through high-volume manufacturing, box build, and PCB assembly | 4.0 | Full comparison |
| EmLogic AS | Zephyr RTOS firmware development and migration. | Founding team with prior embedded-company-building experience concentrated specifically on Zephyr RTOS | 4.0 | Full comparison |
| ARCH-Embedded | Cellular and positioning-technology firmware for connected and micro-mobility... | Positioning-technology and cellular-connectivity specialty drawing on team experience from TomTom and micro-mobility products | 4.0 | Full comparison |
| N-iX | Enterprise programs needing firmware work alongside cloud, data,... | Enterprise-scale delivery capacity across 60-plus completed IoT and embedded projects inside a broader software engineering portfolio | 4.0 | Full comparison |
| Sigma Software Group | Mid-to-large programs needing firmware alongside a broader multi-industry... | Majority Swedish ownership since 2006 combined with a 1,100-plus person multi-country delivery footprint | 4.0 | Full comparison |
| Enginuity Inc. | Defence, marine, and industrial automation programs where firmware... | Multidisciplinary aerospace, defence, and marine engineering scope with firmware as one integrated capability among many | 4.0 | Full comparison |
| Softeq | Full-stack hardware-to-cloud programs needing firmware plus a consumer... | 28 years of full-stack hardware, firmware, mobile, and cloud delivery under one company | 3.9 | Full comparison |
| Developex | Cross-platform software programs that also need device firmware... | Cross-platform team-formation model spanning mobile, cloud, web, and desktop, with firmware as a named secondary specialty | 3.9 | Full comparison |
| A-listware | Staff augmentation for firmware teams needing remote engineering... | Remote engineering team delivery model with embedded firmware and legacy modernization as named service lines | 3.9 | Full comparison |
| Instinctools | Enterprise IT modernization programs that include embedded firmware. | Enterprise software heritage serving Fortune 500 clients, with embedded firmware as one applied domain among several | 3.9 | Full comparison |
| Waferlabs Embedded Technology | Very small firmware and hardware design engagements needing... | Founding team with prior Intel, Broadcom, and Qualcomm experience running a small embedded design practice | 3.9 | Full comparison |
| SNS Technosys | Very small MCU and DSP firmware engagements on... | Small, focused embedded product design practice covering both microcontroller and digital signal processor firmware | 3.8 | Full comparison |
Timesys FAQ
What is Timesys?
Pittsburgh embedded Linux specialist and founding Yocto Project member, now part of Lynx Software Technologies
How much does Timesys charge?
Timesys uses support contracts, consultation, and custom development engagements pricing. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. A discovery call is required to get project-specific quotes.
What tech stack does Timesys use?
Timesys works with Yocto Project, Embedded Linux, Buildroot, Board Support Packages. Primary industries served include Industrial, Networking, Consumer electronics, Automotive.
Is Timesys right for enterprise?
Embedded Linux build systems and long-term security maintenance. Not published team size. Key consideration: The 2023 acquisition by Lynx Software Technologies means Timesys now operates as part of a larger RTOS vendor rather than an independent consultancy.
What are the best Timesys alternatives?
The best alternatives to Timesys depend on your use case. Top options are:
- Lemberg Solutions: direct nxp, stmicroelectronics, and microchip partner status combined with an in-house hardware lab for board bring-up
- Product Creation Studio: iso 13485-certified product studio building firmware alongside the physical device rather than as a separate line item
- Conclusive Engineering: nordic semiconductor and texas instruments partner status paired with freebsd depth most embedded firms don't carry
Compare Timesys with other Firmware Development companies
Timesys vs Lemberg Solutions Timesys vs Product Creation Studio Timesys vs Conclusive Engineering Timesys vs Voler Systems Timesys vs DE Design Works Timesys vs NOVO Engineering Timesys vs ByteSnap Design Timesys vs Emcraft Systems Timesys vs Promwad Timesys vs WebbyLab Timesys vs InTechHouse Timesys vs Droid Technologies Timesys vs Ignitec Timesys vs USA Firmware Timesys vs CMD MedTech Timesys vs Embitel Technologies Timesys vs Elektrobit (EB) Timesys vs Witekio Timesys vs Klika Tech Timesys vs Oxalis Design Timesys vs Lobaro GmbH Timesys vs NeuronicWorks Timesys vs EmLogic AS Timesys vs ARCH-Embedded Timesys vs N-iX Timesys vs Sigma Software Group Timesys vs Enginuity Inc. Timesys vs Softeq Timesys vs Developex Timesys vs A-listware Timesys vs Instinctools Timesys vs Waferlabs Embedded Technology Timesys vs SNS Technosys
Verify all details directly with Timesys before making a decision.