Embedded Software Engineer, Haptics

Hark; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Hark is seeking an experienced embedded engineer to develop real-time firmware for haptic and motion control systems in a hands-on role. You will write firmware in C/C++, bench-test with scopes and analyzers, and iterate with product and design teams to deliver compelling interaction experiences.

You should have 5+ years of firmware experience on microcontrollers, plus hands-on motor/actuator control skills (PID, feed-forward, FOC) and comfort with I2C/SPI/I2S buses.

Qualifications

• 5+ years writing firmware for microcontrollers in C and C++.
• Hands-on motor or actuator control experience with PID, feed-forward, FOC, observers.
• Experience with bench testing using scopes and logic analyzers, and bus traffic over I2C/SPI/I2S.
• Proficiency in Python or another scripting language for measurements and data analysis.
• Clear written communication; able to explain tradeoffs to non‑firmware teammates.
• Strong instinct for tactile feel in haptics.

Responsibilities

• Write real-time firmware in C and C++ for motion and haptic systems.
• Characterize actuator behavior on the bench and tune controllers for a pleasant user feel.
• Prototype early hardware and help shape final shipping experience with product and industrial design teams.

Skills

Firmware (C/C++)

Motor control

Bench testing

Python scripting

Clear communication

Haptics sense

Tools

Oscilloscope

Logic analyzer

I2C

SPI

I2S

Python scripting

Job description

About Hark

Hark is an artificial intelligence company building advanced, personalized intelligence. One that is proactive, multimodal, and capable of interacting with the world through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory.

We’re pairing that intelligence with next‑generation hardware to create a universal interface between humans and machines. While today’s AI largely operates through chat boxes and decade‑old devices, Hark is focused on what comes next: agentic systems that interact naturally with people and the real world.

To get there, we’re developing multimodal models and next‑generation AI hardware together – designed from the ground up as a single, unified interface for a new era of intelligent systems.

About the Role

Hark is looking for an experience‑focused, hands‑on embedded engineer to build haptic and motion control system firmware and software that deliver incredible interaction experiences. We care a lot about how things feel, and how the people that use them feel, and we want someone who shares that craft mindset.

Responsibilities

• Write real‑time firmware in C and C++ that drives motion and haptic systems.
• Close the loop on response time and feel. characterize actuator behavior on the bench and tune controllers until the result is genuinely pleasant to use.
• Stand up early hardware, prove out feel and timing in prototype form, and shape the final shipping experience alongside product and industrial design partners.

Requirements

• 5+ years writing firmware for microcontrollers in C and C++.
• Demonstrated hands‑on motor or actuator control work that shipped — PID, feed‑forward, FOC, observers, and similar techniques.
• Comfort on the bench with scopes, logic analyzers, and bus traffic over I²C, SPI, or I²S.
• Working knowledge of Python or another scripting language for measurement automation and quick data analysis.
• Clear written communication — you can explain a tradeoff to a non‑firmware teammate without losing them.
• A strong instinct for what distinguishes haptics that feel right.

Bonus Qualifications

• DSP fundamentals: filtering, time‑domain shaping, and basic perceptual modeling.
• RTOS experience or comfort with bare‑metal scheduling for hard real‑time control loops.
• Familiarity with low‑power system design and the measurement habits that come with it.
• Prior work on consumer haptics, audio, or other systems where feel and timing are visible to the user.

Compensation

The US base salary range for this full‑time position is between $120,000 - $300,000 annually.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.