Firmware/ Embedded Systems Engineer

Menlo Ventures; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Menlo Ventures is seeking a proficient Firmware Engineer in San Francisco, California, to develop and optimize firmware for robotics systems. Responsibilities include implementing control algorithms and collaborating with hardware teams to ensure system performance.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Robotics and have strong expertise in BLDC motor control and embedded systems. A salary range of $100,000—$300,000 is offered for this critical role.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in firmware development for robotics or embedded systems.
• Hands-on experience with BLDC motor control methods.
• Proficient in low-level communication protocols like RS-485, CAN.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize firmware for BLDC motor control.
• Integrate firmware with ROS and other high-level communication frameworks.
• Test, validate, and debug firmware systems.

Skills

Firmware development for robotics

BLDC motor control expertise

Proficiency in C/C++

Real-time embedded systems knowledge

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or Mechatronics

Tools

RTOS (FreeRTOS, RT Linux, VxWorks)

Debugging tools

DDS frameworks (e.g., ROS)

Job description

Company Overview

At Skild AI, we are building the world's first general purpose robotic intelligence that is robust and adapts to unseen scenarios without failing. We believe massive scale through data-driven machine learning is the key to unlocking these capabilities for the widespread deployment of robots within society. Our team consists of individuals with varying levels of experience and backgrounds, from new graduates to domain experts. Relevant industry experience is important, but ultimately less so than your demonstrated abilities and attitude. We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to explore uncharted waters and contribute to our innovative projects.

Position Overview

We are seeking a proficient Firmware Engineer that will develop and optimize firmware for BLDC motor control and real-time embedded systems. Key responsibilities include implementing control algorithms, debugging communication protocols, and integrating firmware with frameworks like ROS, while collaborating with hardware teams to ensure system performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize firmware for BLDC motor control, including advanced control algorithms and system identification.
• Design, debug, and integrate low-level communication protocols such as RS-485, CAN, UART, and SPI.
• Implement and maintain real-time systems using RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, RT Linux, VxWorks).
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to design and validate motor driver circuits and power electronics systems.
• Integrate firmware into higher-level communication frameworks, such as DDS (Distributed Data Service), e.g., ROS.
• Test, validate, and debug firmware systems in the lab.
• Document firmware design processes and contribute to best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or Mechatronics.
• Hands-on experience in firmware development for robotics, motor control, or embedded systems.
• Expertise in BLDC motor control, including FOC (Field‑Oriented Control), PWM, and current/position control techniques.
• Proficiency in low-level communication protocols such as RS-485, CAN, and SPI.
• Experience with real-time embedded systems (e.g., FreeRTOS, RT Linux).
• Familiarity with DDS frameworks (e.g., ROS).
• Proficient in C/C++ for embedded systems and adept with debugging tools.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to handle complex system integration challenges.

Base Salary Range: $100,000—$300,000 USD