Senior Embedded Software Engineer (Maritime)
Job Summary
We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to take full ownership of critical embedded subsystems for autonomous underwater vehicles. This role involves end-to-end responsibility from initial design through field deployment in a fast-moving startup environment focused on delivering vehicles for naval applications on accelerated timelines.
You will serve as the responsible engineer for one of three focus areas: embedded Linux compute platforms, motor-control firmware, or battery-management-system firmware. The ideal candidate has personally architected, implemented, and shipped embedded systems with full ownership in dynamic settings.
Essential Functions
- Serve as the Responsible Engineer for a major embedded subsystem, writing production C/C++ code for deterministic real-time vehicle control under strict latency, jitter, and memory constraints
- Develop custom embedded Linux images using Buildroot or Yocto for real-time performance on ARM-based platforms such as Nvidia Jetson
- Create bare-metal or FreeRTOS firmware for STM32 microcontrollers used in motor control or battery management systems
- Bring up new PCBAs from scratch, collaborating with electrical engineers to debug timing issues, signal integrity, and manufacturing defects using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and in-circuit debuggers
- Design and implement deterministic Ethernet (UDP) communication protocols along with CAN, SPI, and I2C interfaces for reliable vehicle telemetry and control
- Drive rapid development of MVP embedded systems to support sea trials within aggressive timelines, making pragmatic trade-offs and iterating through design-build-test cycles
Required Qualifications
- 4-7 years of experience in embedded software engineering with strong C/C++ skills on Linux or bare-metal/RTOS platforms
- Proven experience personally bringing up new embedded hardware from blank board through debug and into production with individual ownership
- Background in automotive, aerospace, robotics, or autonomous vehicle systems, ideally from high-velocity environments
- Deep expertise in at least one specialized area: embedded Linux (Buildroot/Yocto, kernel drivers, real-time tuning), bare-metal/FreeRTOS motor-control firmware, or battery-management firmware
- Strong proficiency writing deterministic low-level code from datasheets with strict performance constraints
- Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and in-circuit debuggers for hardware-software integration
- Self-starting ability to independently drive ambiguous problems to an 80% MVP solution in weeks
- BS or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience at a startup or early-stage company shipping hardware products on compressed schedules
- Background with Python and cloud-based solutions such as AWS for building telemetry and command pipelines
- Familiarity with Rust for embedded applications
- Prior work on real-time systems for maritime, underwater, or similar harsh environments
Technical Skills
- C/C++ for real-time embedded systems
- Embedded Linux with Buildroot and Yocto
- FreeRTOS and bare-metal firmware development
- STM32 microcontrollers
- ARM Cortex and Nvidia Jetson platforms
- Ethernet/UDP, CAN, SPI, I2C protocols
- Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and in-circuit debuggers
- Git for version control
- Real-time performance tuning and deterministic systems
Education & Certifications
BS or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science is required.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range is $160,000 to $220,000 depending on experience and expertise. This is a full-time on-site position in the Los Angeles area.