Senior Firmware Engineer

Base Salary Range: $100,000 - $300,000 Role Overview Our client is an elite, well-funded robotics startup building the world's first general-purpose AI foundation model for physical hardware. Their platform serves as a universal robotic brain capable of powering everything from humanoids and quadrupeds to industrial warehouse bots. Rather than operating purely as a research lab, they actively deploy their AI onto production hardware used by major global partners. In this role, you will serve as a hands-on Firmware & Embedded Systems Engineer bridging these high-level AI models with low-level physical actuation. You will own real-time firmware development, design motor control loops, perform PCBA bring-up, and integrate core communication protocols directly on physical hardware in their San Mateo lab.

Experience: 3-10 years of embedded systems/firmware engineering using C/C++ for robotics or motor control. Real-Time Systems: Direct experience with RTOS environments (FreeRTOS, RT Linux, or equivalent). Protocols: Hands-on experience with CAN, RS-485, SPI, or UART.

Education: BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or Mechatronics.

Work Style: On-site presence in San Mateo; fully comfortable working hands-on with physical hardware in a lab setting. Nice-to-Haves Prior experience at high-growth robotics companies (e.g., Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, Fetch Robotics). Experience bringing up new PCBAs from scratch and integrating with electromechanical systems. Familiarity with ROS or DDS communication frameworks.