Embedded Software Engineer

About Mainspring

Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.

The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:

• Pragmatic Optimism
• Excellence without Ego
• Proactive Collaboration

Job Overview

Mainspring Energy's revolutionary linear generator is a sophisticated robot. Inside the generator is a network of computers combining embedded Linux and real-time bare metal applications. These orchestrate the critical tasks of shaping control signals and collecting data from a wide variety of sensors which make this technology possible. Our embedded platform is rapidly evolving, and we need great software developers to make it happen. If you love building systems, getting hands on hardware and just making everything work, then we need you!

Responsibilities

This is a software engineering role with emphasis on embedded systems and their associated tools.

As a developer on the team you will contribute to:

• Firmware & Software Development: Design, write, and maintain high-quality, production-ready C++ code for diverse hardware architectures, including both embedded Linux platforms and bare metal/RTOS environments
• Python Tooling & Automation: Develop custom Python applications, CLI utilities, and automated scripts that interface directly with embedded devices (via Serial, USB, CAN, or Ethernet) for hardware bring-up, configuration, data logging, and manufacturing tests
• Diagnostic & HMI Interfaces: Architect and implement standards-based communication interfaces (e.g. standard APIs, Modbus, MQTT, or industry-specific protocols) that expose telemetry, system states, and error logs directly to technician HMIs
• System Robustness for Repair: Develop advanced self-diagnostic routines, non-volatile fault logging, and state-reporting mechanisms that provide clear, actionable data to field service technicians to streamline hardware troubleshooting and repair

Qualifications

You have:

• Experience: 3+ years embedded software development experience (real-time a plus)
• Languages: C/C++ and Python
• Debugging Skills: Strong ability to debug complex systemic issues across the hardware/software boundary using logic analyzers, multimeters, and physical debuggers
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

$119,000 - $140,000 a year

This position is onsite at our Menlo Park HQ . The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee. Along with the base salary, Mainspring offers pre-IPO stock options + benefits.

Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don't meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we'd still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.

In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company-specific knowledge.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.