Embedded Software Engineer, ESS

ESP Inspire, LLC; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Inspire, LLC is seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to drive firmware development for gigawatt-scale energy storage systems. The role focuses on real-time embedded firmware, hardware bring-up, and system integration across electrical, software, and systems teams.

You will influence embedded architecture decisions, prototype development, validation, and field support, delivering production-oriented firmware for safety-critical applications.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in embedded software or firmware engineering.
• Experience shipping at least one commercial or industrial hardware product.
• Strong experience developing firmware for real-time embedded systems.
• Proficiency in C++ and RTOS-based embedded development.
• Experience designing software systems that coordinate multiple hardware or software functions.
• Experience using Linux as a development and test environment.
• Experience configuring build systems such as CMake or Make.
• Strong debugging skills using debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or related test equipment.
• Experience with Git, GitHub, Docker, Earthly, or similar CI/development tooling.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement real-time, C++ RTOS-based firmware targeting microcontrollers
• Develop firmware that interfaces directly with hardware and supports functional safety requirements
• Create embedded prototypes to validate hardware design decisions and accelerate development cycles
• Support firmware integration, debugging, and verification activities across hardware and software systems
• Assist with requirements definition and embedded system architecture discussions
• Support deployed systems and troubleshoot issues observed in development or field environments
• Participate in hardware and software design reviews across cross-functional engineering teams
• Follow disciplined development practices including code reviews, linting, formatting standards, debugging, and documentation

Skills

C++

RTOS

Embedded firmware

Linux development

Build systems (CMake/Make)

Debugging tools

Git/GitHub

CI/CD tooling

US work eligibility

Oscilloscopes/logic analyzers

Docker

Earthly

Tools

Docker

Earthly

Oscilloscopes

Job description

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to drive the development of our gigawatt-scale sodium-ion energy storage systems. This position centers on building real-time embedded firmware for essential ESS hardware and controls infrastructure.

We are looking for an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to drive the development of our gigawatt-scale sodium-ion energy storage systems. This position centers on building real-time embedded firmware for essential ESS hardware and controls infrastructure.

This role is designed to accelerate firmware development, hardware bring-up, and system integration as we scale the ESS platform. You will collaborate across embedded software, electrical engineering, and systems teams to deliver reliable, production-oriented firmware for safety-critical applications.

You will influence embedded architecture decisions, prototype development, validation, and field support, while helping to establish disciplined engineering and development practices across the entire stack.

The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys tackling low-level technical challenges, and takes full ownership from the initial prototype through final deployment.

What You’ll Do

• Design and implement real-time, C++ RTOS-based firmware targeting microcontrollers
• Develop firmware that interfaces directly with hardware and supports functional safety requirements
• Create embedded prototypes to validate hardware design decisions and accelerate development cycles
• Support firmware integration, debugging, and verification activities across hardware and software systems
• Assist with requirements definition and embedded system architecture discussions
• Support deployed systems and troubleshoot issues observed in development or field environments
• Participate in hardware and software design reviews across cross-functional engineering teams
• Follow disciplined development practices including code reviews, linting, formatting standards, debugging, and documentation

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of professional experience in embedded software or firmware engineering
• Experience shipping at least one commercial or industrial hardware product
• Strong experience developing firmware for real-time embedded systems
• Proficiency in C++ and RTOS-based embedded development
• Experience designing software systems that coordinate multiple hardware or software functions
• Experience using Linux as a development and test environment
• Experience configuring and using build systems such as CMake or Make
• Strong debugging skills using debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or related test equipment
• Experience with Git, GitHub, Docker, Earthly, or similar CI/development tooling
• Eligibility to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with energy storage systems, battery systems, or other high-reliability hardware products
• Experience supporting hardware bring-up, validation, or manufacturing test efforts
• Familiarity with embedded functional safety concepts and development practices