Unknown Company

Firmware Engineer

san francisco, ca • Posted 2 weeks ago
Onsite Full Time IT & Technology

We're a well-funded, early-stage defense technology company building autonomous hardware systems that use computer vision and real-time control to detect and respond to airborne threats. Founded by engineers with a strong track record of prior successful exits, we're a lean, engineering-first team solving problems that don't have off-the-shelf answers.

We need a Firmware Engineer who lives at the intersection of code and hardware.

You’ll design real-time embedded software in C++ and the electrical systems it runs on — reading datasheets, drawing schematics, simulating circuits, then writing the firmware that brings it all to life. This isn't a role where you're handed a board and told to write drivers; you'll help define the board in the first place.

What you'll actually do:

  • Build real-time embedded C++ for autonomous systems where milliseconds and reliability both matter
  • Design electrical schematics and power/embedded circuits from microcontroller and IC datasheets
  • Integrate firmware with sensors, actuators, and motor drives
  • Test and debug in the lab and in the field — oscilloscopes, simulation, real-world validation
  • Own your work end-to-end: docs, block diagrams, schematics, test protocols

What you bring:

  • 3+ years building real-time, safety-critical embedded systems, plus electrical/schematic design experience
  • Strong C++ for embedded, comfortable in Python for scripting
  • Knowledge of microcontroller-based control systems (power conversion, motor drives)
  • Experience integrating software with sensors, actuators, and control hardware — ideally in robotics or autonomous systems
  • A degree in EE, CS, or related field

Bonus points:

embedded Linux/RTOS, custom kernel work, CAN/UART/I2C, low-latency optimization under tight power/compute budgets.

Why this role:

Small team, high ownership, real hardware shipping to real customers - not a slide deck. Competitive salary, equity, full health coverage, and the kind of technical problems you don't get to touch elsewhere.

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Firmware Engineer in san francisco at Unknown Company

This position is listed as full time and onsite.

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