Senior Firmware Engineer

• Location: San Mateo, CA (100% On-Site / Hands-on Lab Environment)
• 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.

Key Requirements

• 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.