Software Engineer (Embedded)

SOFTWARE ENGINEER (EMBEDDED) 

Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.

As an Embedded Software Engineer at Freeform, you will be responsible for contributing to the architecture of critical embedded software systems that enable our advanced metal 3D printing factories to operate fully autonomously at high speeds with precision. This entails developing software solutions for hardware control/autonomy, high speed data acquisition, and custom high-performance compute systems. Projects will vary across the stack, so we expect our engineers to be flexible and always put the mission first. 

3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology! 

Responsibilities:  

• Contribute to the architecture of state-of-the art software for an advanced production-scale metal 3D printing system
• Design and develop the machine instruction interface to the metal 3D printing system hardware
• Develop software to enable the computer vision system, monitor sensor data, perform calibrations, log quality data, and keep track of the health of the printing system over its lifetime
• Work with process and control engineers to integrate control algorithms into production software
• Work with FPGA developers to develop high-speed data acquisition software
• Create software for collection and analysis of process data
• Develop software required to implement production automation solutions
• Develop, unit test, and deploy functional, scalable, robust, and maintainable software
• Generate and maintain documentation of designed software and integrated systems  

Basic Qualifications:  

• Bachelors in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, or related field
• 2+ years of professional, post-graduation experience in software development using C/C++
• Experience in real-time embedded system design with Linux OS  

  Nice to Have:  

• Experience working in a high-performance compute environment (FPGAs or GPUs)
• Experience with PCIe driver development and troubleshooting
• Experience with Rust
• Experience with high-speed data acquisition and real time closed-loop-control systems
• Excellent knowledge of OS coding techniques, IP protocols, interfaces, and hardware subsystems
• Experience writing software for industrial automation systems, robotics, or related hardware
• Creative thinker able to apply first-principles reasoning to solve complex problems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills  

Location:  

• Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.  

• Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.  

  What We Offer:  

• We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
• We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.
• Benefits  
  • Significant stock option packages
  • 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
  • Life insurance
  • Traditional and Roth 401(k)
  • Relocation assistance provided
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
  • Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
  • Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
  • Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
• Compensation   
  • As a growing company, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual taking into consideration years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process. Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.
  • In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $125,000-$150,000, dependent on the candidate's academic level (Bachelors, Masters, or PhD) and demonstrated out of classroom experience.
• Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.