Embedded Firmware Engineer

1 day ago

Palo Alto, California, United States Proception Full time

Join our embedded systems team to build the
real-time firmware, drivers, and hardware-level infrastructure
that power our next-generation robotic hands. You will work at the bleeding edge of robotics—developing low-latency motor control firmware, bringing up custom electronics, integrating advanced sensors, and ensuring highly reliable operation across our robotic platforms.

Role Overview
You will be responsible for writing low-level embedded firmware, performing driver bringup across a range of sensors/actuators, and building the real-time control pipelines that enable human-level dexterity. This role is hands-on and hardware-close: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMA registers, and data sheets will be part of your daily workflow.

Key Responsibilities
Embedded Firmware & Driver Development

  • Bring up custom embedded boards (STM32H7, ESP32, RP2040, etc.) from scratch
  • Implement low-level drivers for sensors, actuators, communication buses, and custom peripherals
  • Develop high-reliability firmware using Rust (Embassy) and C, optimized for tight timing budgets
  • Build DMA-based and interrupt-driven interfaces for high-rate data pipelines

Motor Control & Real-Time Systems

  • Implement and tune real-time control loops (position, torque, impedance, velocity)
  • Develop high-frequency motor control firmware (100 Hz – 5 kHz loops)
  • Integrate motor drivers, current sensors, and high-bandwidth servo feedback

Sensor Bringup & Integration

  • Integrate and calibrate:

  • Force & tactile sensors

  • Multi-axis IMUs

  • Encoders (magnetic, optical, and high-resolution absolute encoders)

  • Build sensor fusion pipelines optimized for low latency and noise robustness

System Infrastructure & Safety

  • Develop robust real-time safety systems: watchdogs, brownout detection, error monitors
  • Implement fail-safe behaviors and safety interlocks for robotic manipulation
  • Build bootloader/OTA systems for distributed firmware updates

Hardware-Software Integration

  • Validate new PCB revisions with bringup tests and driver diagnostics
  • Work closely with mechanical/electrical teams to characterize hardware performance
  • Collaborate with AI/control teams to optimize firmware performance for higher-level policies

Requirements
Must-Have

  • Pursuing a BS/MS in Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or related fields
  • Strong Rust + Embassy and modern C experience in embedded development
  • Experience with real-time systems and RTOS-based development (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or bare-metal)
  • Strong Python skills for test automation, HIL testing, and hardware validation
  • Hands-on experience with embedded peripherals: SPI, I2C, UART, CAN/CAN-FD, PWM, ADC, DMA

  • Solid understanding of:

  • Real-time control loops

  • Timing constraints & scheduler design
  • Interrupt latency and determinism

Nice-to-Have

  • Experience with Linux-based real-time controllers (PREEMPT_RT)
  • Familiarity with EtherCAT or high-speed robotic communication buses
  • Experience with motor drivers (BLDC, servo motors), Hall sensors, or current sensing
  • Exposure to ROS/ROS2, machine learning, or robotic control stack development
  • Experience building bootloaders, OTA systems, or secure firmware signing
  • Familiarity with JTAG/SWD debugging, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers

Compensation & Benefits

  • High-impact ownership over mission-critical embedded systems
  • Work alongside world-class roboticists, embedded engineers, and AI researchers
  • Access to cutting-edge robotics labs, tools, and custom hardware
  • Competitive salary + equity for full-time roles
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits

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