Replicable Build Systems and Docker: What Embedded Engineers Need to Know

Session details:

Docker is often presented as the silver bullet for replicable build systems. In embedded firmware, however, teams regularly encounter pitfalls that aren’t widely discussed. Cross-architecture host builds (x86 vs. aarch64) introduce hidden fragility, while Docker’s I/O performance can drag compilation workloads for embedded firmware to a crawl on common developer platforms.

This session clarifies what “replicability” really means in different contexts and explores practical strategies and tools for achieving it. We’ll compare approaches, discuss the tradeoffs of each, and highlight when Docker fits—and when it doesn’t.

Joe Schneider, CEO of Dojo Five, will share hard-won lessons from helping embedded teams select and implement replicable build workflows that reduce developer friction, improve velocity, and save engineering dollars.