Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Concepts Group

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. About Proper Voltage Proper Voltage is unlocking the next generation of battery technology across robotics, data centers, and defense. We're building intelligent battery systems that make advanced chemistries (sodium-ion, lithium-titanate, lithium-silicon) work in products that were never designed for them. Humanoid robots can upgrade power systems without redesigning their entire platform. Data centers get safer, cheaper backup power. Drones and autonomous vehicles get higher energy density without lengthy integration cycles. If you want to work on hard engineering problems that matter this is the place. Job Overview We are in search of a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our Concepts Group—a fast-paced, small team responsible for taking product concepts from leadership and rapidly building minimum viable implementations to determine feasibility and inform go/no-go decisions for full product development. This is not a traditional firmware role. You will work on a new problem every few weeks to months, standing up just enough firmware to prove whether an idea works: getting a new cell chemistry on a BMS, prototyping a novel protection scheme, spinning up a communication stack on unfamiliar hardware, or validating a control algorithm on a bench rig. The emphasis is on speed, resourcefulness, and sound engineering judgment—knowing what corners can be cut in a prototype and what cannot. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives on variety, can go from a blank STM32 project to a working proof-of-concept faster than most engineers think is possible, and has enough depth in BMS and power electronics firmware to know which shortcuts are safe and which will give you misleading results. You will work closely with engineering leadership to scope concepts, define success criteria, and deliver clear recommendations on whether a path forward exists. What You’ll Do Receive product concepts and technical challenges from engineering management and rapidly translate them into scoped, time-boxed firmware prototyping efforts. Build minimum viable firmware implementations on STM32 platforms (Cortex-M33/M4) to validate feasibility of new BMS architectures, cell chemistries, protection strategies, and communication topologies. Stand up functional firmware quickly on new or unfamiliar hardware—bring up peripherals, verify signal chains, and get to meaningful data collection in days, not weeks. Prototype and evaluate fuel gauging approaches (Kalman filters, coulomb counting, hybrid methods) across different battery chemistries to assess viability before committing to production implementation. Rapidly implement and test cell balancing strategies, protection algorithms, and fault detection logic to evaluate trade-offs in accuracy, complexity, and cost. Develop quick-turn communication interfaces (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet) to integrate prototype BMS modules with existing systems or test rigs. Interface with analog front ends, isolated amplifiers, current sense circuits, and DAQ hardware to validate measurement architectures on prototype builds. Produce concise, actionable technical assessments—documenting what works, what doesn’t, key risks, and a recommended path forward for the product development team. Collaborate with hardware engineers to quickly evaluate new component choices, alternate topologies, and cost-reduction opportunities at the firmware level. Build throwaway tooling, test scripts, and data logging utilities as needed to support rapid evaluation cycles. Maintain a library of reusable firmware building blocks (drivers, protocol stacks, algorithms) that accelerate future concept evaluations. Exercise a high degree of autonomy, take ownership, and contribute as a key individual to project milestones and objectives. Ability to either work in person at our Carlsbad, CA office or travel there as needed with a demonstrated track record of highly efficient, collaborative remote work. Required Qualifications B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. 6+ years of experience developing embedded firmware, with a demonstrated ability to move fast and deliver working prototypes under tight timelines. Deep proficiency with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers (STM32 strongly preferred), including the ability to bring up new hardware from scratch with minimal documentation or support. Broad peripheral experience: ADC, DMA, timers, SPI, I2C, UART, CAN—comfortable picking up unfamiliar peripherals and getting them running quickly. Strong experience with RTOS-based firmware (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or equivalent) and the judgment to know when bare-metal is the faster path for a prototype. Proficiency in C for embedded systems; working knowledge of C++ and/or Rust for embedded applications. Solid understanding of analog signal chains, ADC calibration, filtering, and precision measurement—enough to evaluate whether a prototype’s data is trustworthy. Hands‑on experience with CAN bus implementation and at least passing familiarity with multiple communication protocols. Strong understanding of power electronics fundamentals as they relate to firmware control (gate drive timing, protection sequencing, current limiting). Proficiency with embedded debugging tools (JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers). Excellent engineering judgment: the ability to distinguish between prototype-acceptable compromises and shortcuts that invalidate results. Strong written and verbal communication skills—must be able to distill prototype findings into clear go/no‑go recommendations for leadership. Self‑directed and comfortable operating with ambiguous requirements and short timelines. Preferred Qualifications Direct experience with battery management system firmware, including cell balancing, fuel gauging, and pack protection. Experience with multiple battery chemistries (lithium‑ion, sodium‑ion, lithium‑titanate, LiFePO4) and an understanding of how chemistry differences affect firmware requirements. Exposure to functional safety concepts (IEC 61508, ISO 26262) and safety‑critical firmware design patterns. Knowledge of compliance standards for battery systems (UL 1973, UL 9540, IEC 62619). Experience with digital control loops for power converter regulation. Track record of working in a skunkworks, R&D, or rapid prototyping environment. Prior Experience With Kalman filters or similar estimation algorithms applied to battery state estimation. CPLD/FPGA integration for hardware-level protection and fast fault response. Isolated amplifier and measurement circuit interfacing (AMC1301, AMC1311, or similar). High‑voltage BMS architectures (100V+) with multi‑chemistry support. Emulation and simulation frameworks (Renode, QEMU) for accelerating early firmware development. Using Python for rapid data analysis, visualization, and test automation. Bidirectional DC‑DC converter control and associated firmware. Salary range: $165,000 – $200,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Equity options as part of the compensation package. Generous paid time off and paid holidays (PTO) policy. Ready to prove what’s possible before anyone else believes it? Let’s talk. #J-18808-Ljbffr