Embedded Systems Engineer — FreeRTOS

Mesodyne; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesodyne in Somerville, MA is seeking an Embedded Systems Engineer to own the firmware running on STM32 MCUs, bringing up bare-metal and FreeRTOS software that directly controls micro-pumps, valves, igniters, and actuators in the LightCell platform.

You will work close to hardware, write robust C/C++ code, develop hardware drivers, and validate designs with oscilloscopes and JTAG. This is a full-time on-site role with tangible impact at a fast-growing MIT-born company.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of professional experience in bare-metal or RTOS firmware development for complex electromechanical, robotic, or medical systems
• Strong C/C++ skills for deeply embedded microcontrollers, with a passion for clean, modular, well-documented code where failures have physical consequences
• Ability to read schematics, locate test points on a PCB, and confidently use hardware lab diagnostic tools

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and debug low-overhead C/C++ firmware implementing the state machines and real-time control loops that govern LightCell operations
• Architect and optimize multi-threaded tasks using FreeRTOS on STM32, ensuring precise scheduling, task prioritization, and low-latency safety controls
• Write and validate robust custom drivers for digital and analog peripherals over SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN
• Serve as the primary technical bridge at the hardware-firmware boundary, isolating bugs using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers
• Write automated test scripts (Python) to interface with hardware for high-speed data logging and long-duration system characterization

Skills

C/C++ (embedded)

RTOS experience

Bare-metal programming

System architecture

Education

B.S./M.S. in CS/EE/CE

Tools

Oscilloscope

Logic Analyzer

JTAG/SWD

SPI/I2C/UART/CAN

Job description

Embedded Systems Engineer — FreeRTOS

About the Company

Mesodyne builds compact, silent thermophotovoltaic generators — MIT-born LightCell tech that runs on any fuel and lasts 10x longer than batteries or engines. We serve industrial and defense customers with active contracts and a growing pipeline.

About the Role

We're looking for an Embedded Systems Engineer who loves being close to the hardware. You'll develop the real-time "brain" of the LightCell — firmware running at the bare-metal and RTOS level on STM32 microcontrollers, directly controlling micro-pumps, proportional valves, high-current igniters, blowers, and other actuators.

What You'll Do

• Develop, test, and debug low-overhead C/C++ firmware implementing the state machines and real-time control loops that govern LightCell operations
• Architect and optimize multi-threaded tasks using FreeRTOS on STM32, ensuring precise scheduling, task prioritization, and low-latency safety controls
• Write and validate robust custom drivers for digital and analog peripherals over SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN
• Serve as the primary technical bridge at the hardware-firmware boundary, isolating bugs using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers
• Write automated test scripts (Python) to interface with hardware for high-speed data logging and long-duration system characterization

What We're Looking For

• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of professional experience in bare-metal or RTOS firmware development for complex electromechanical, robotic, or medical systems
• Strong C/C++ skills for deeply embedded microcontrollers, with a passion for clean, modular, well-documented code where failures have physical consequences
• Ability to read schematics, locate test points on a PCB, and confidently use hardware lab diagnostic tools

Location

On-site, full-time, in Somerville, MA.