Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

At Butterfly Network, we're leading a digital revolution in medical imaging, transforming an industry that has long relied on bulky, analog systems. With our proprietary Ultrasound-on-Chip™ technology, we're democratizing healthcare by shifting ultrasound from the expensive, stationary systems of the past to the connected, mobile, and software-enabled platforms of today. In 2018, we launched the world's first handheld, whole-body ultrasound, Butterfly iQ – followed by iQ+ in 2020 and iQ3 in 2024, each more powerful than the last.

Our innovation doesn't stop at hardware. Butterfly combines our advanced device with intelligent software, AI, services, and education to drive adoption of affordable, accessible imaging. Our technology is proving to help clinicians, clinics, and hospitals enhance care, cut costs, and expand imaging access. We've been recognized by Prix Galien USA, Fierce 50, TIME's Best Inventions, Fast Company's World Changing Ideas, among other awards.

We're a team of bold thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators ready to shape the future of medical imaging. Let's build something extraordinary together!

As an experienced Device Software Engineer at Butterfly, you will work at the intersection of cutting-edge ASIC hardware and the software that brings it to life — designing and developing the bare-metal firmware, device drivers, and embedded platform that powers our ultrasound imaging product line. From early-stage SoC bring-up and pre-silicon emulation through to production-ready imaging pipelines, you will own critical work across the full hardware-software stack. You will partner directly with our ASIC hardware and architecture teams to co-design software-hardware interfaces, develop hardware imaging pipelines, and build the Python tooling that drives ASIC configuration and validates system reliability. We are seeking a talented, driven, hands-on problem-solver who is equally comfortable with a logic analyzer and a CI pipeline. The ideal candidate is passionate about building rock-solid, low-level software that unlocks the performance of real-time imaging systems — and is excited to be a technical leader that the team and broader organization turns to for guidance.

As part of our team, your core responsibilities will be:

• Partner with our hardware, imaging, and mobile software teams to define and develop our next-generation embedded software architecture
• Design performant imaging sequencing control software, safety monitoring systems, and real-time data processing pipelines
• Design, develop, and test bare-metal firmware and low-level device drivers in C/C++ for custom ASICs based on RISC-V or similar processor architectures
• Lead early-stage SoC bring-up, debugging, and validation using both pre-silicon emulation environments and post-silicon hardware platforms
• Collaborate closely with ASIC hardware and architecture teams to define software-hardware interfaces and co-design critical system features
• Develop and maintain hardware imaging pipelines and interfaces (e.g., Cypress FX3 or similar platforms) to support the ongoing evolution of the Apollo ultrasound system
• Develop robust Python tools and scripts to drive ASIC configuration, validate hardware/firmware reliability, and execute ultrasound imaging sequences using both physical and mock (modeled) hardware
• Support hardware bringup by utilizing modern debugging techniques and tools
• Create automated, end-to-end tests and integrate them reliably into our hardware-in-the-loop CI pipeline
• Act as a thought leader to drive new technology, architectures, process, and infrastructure, and act as a mentor for fellow team members
• Perform a broad variety of tasks in support of the role and responsibilities

Baseline skills/experiences/attributes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field
• 10+ years of C / C++ embedded application development
• 10+ years of experience creating and testing complex software intensive systems
• Deep understanding of computer architecture and a high degree of comfort with cross-platform application and wireless (WiFi and BLE) development
• Passion for creating modern, efficient, maintainable code

Ideally, you also have these skills/experiences/attributes (but it's ok if you don't!):

• Designed and deployed reliable software for real-time, fault-intolerant applications – e.g. medicine, scientific computing, aerospace, finance
• Experience with real-time OSes, USB, I2C, SPI, Ethernet, UART
• Automated unit testing, regression testing, real-time or safety-critical systems
• Over-the-air deployment of firmware upgrades
• Proficiency with board-level debugging (e.g. oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) and rework (e.g. surface-mount soldering)
• Proficient reading electrical schematics and navigating PCB layouts
• iOS/Android software and hardware accessory development

You Deeply Identify with Core Butterfly Network Values:

• Efficient & Speedy - you get work done in a fraction of the time as industry peers
• Intellectually Curious - you are thoughtful & inquisitive; people enjoy working with you because they learn from you
• Mission-Driven & Committed - you are passionate about the company's purpose and are immensely productive
• Team Oriented - you celebrate and take joy in the success of others on the team

Values

Innovation is what we do. Our values are how we make it happen. Butterflies are and believe in…

Patient-Centric Innovators: Our mission is THE mission. Empowered to Impact: Every voice matters. One Team, One Goal: Unity fuels progress. Growth Champions: We embrace challenges. Action-Oriented Achievers: We follow through, every time.

Butterfly offers a hybrid work model for most positions, with team members spending two or more days a week in the office. While flexibility is key, we value in-person connections that spark creativity and teamwork. Our offices are designed for collaboration, with comfortable workspaces, stocked kitchens, and opportunities to connect with peers.

This is a hybrid position (2 to 3 days a week in office) that can be based in New York City, NY, or San Francisco, CA.

• Comprehensive health insurance, encompassing dental and vision coverage, is provided to all our employees. As a health-tech company, we prioritize the well-being of our teams. Additionally, employees have the option to buy up for enhanced health insurance coverage. We also contribute to Health Savings Account (HSA) accounts for all enrolled employees on an annual basis.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program - we provide access to tools and resources to support your emotional health and day-to-day needs.
• 401k plan and match - we facilitate your retirement goals.
• Eligible employees will have the opportunity to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off + 10 Holiday Days a Year - recharge and come back ready to make an impact
• Parental Leave - we aim to provide our employees with time to bond with their growing family, along with additional support for primary caregivers to help transition back to work
• Competitive salaried compensation - we value our employees and show it
• Equity - we want every employee to be a stakeholder
• The opportunity to build a revolutionary healthcare product and save millions of lives!

Compensation

Our estimated salary for this role is $200,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Actual pay is determined by multiple factors such as skills, qualifications, experience and market demand.

For this role, we are only considering candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States and who do not now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.

Butterfly Network does not accept agency resumes.

Butterfly Network is an E-Verify Company.

Butterfly Network is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of race, traits associated with race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or Veteran status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Butterfly requires security adherence responsibilities from all employees. These include: adhering to all company security policies and procedures, utilizing provided company assets securely, and completing all required security awareness training programs. Safeguarding company data and systems from unauthorized access, modification, or destruction, contributing to the overall security posture of the organization. Immediately reporting any suspected or actual security incidents, including phishing attempts, malware infections, or unauthorized access, following the established incident response procedures.