Firmware Engineer

Critical Loop; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health coverage

Retirement plan

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Critical Loop seeks a software engineer to build embedded drivers, device communications, backend services, and data pipelines for field hardware. You will work closely with hardware engineers to ship software with real-world impact, including debugging and telemetry-focused systems.

The role is hybrid in the Torrance-area market, offering ownership of features from design through deployment in a startup environment emphasizing reliability and observability across distributed sites.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in one or more systems programming languages (C/C++/Rust).
• Experience with higher-level languages for services or data processing (Python or Go).
• Experience writing firmware or drivers for embedded targets.
• Comfort reading schematics, debugging hardware, and understanding timing/electrical behavior.

Responsibilities

• Design and build software spanning embedded drivers, device communications, backend services, data pipelines, and operator-facing interfaces.
• Develop network communication and driver layers for site controllers and distributed energy resources.
• Build and maintain automated data pipelines for real-time energy monitoring and interval data analysis.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers on embedded system designs and bring-ups.
• Architect systems that are reliable, observable, and deployable across distributed sites.
• Participate in hardware field tests, commissioning, and debugging of deployed systems.
• Own features from design through deployment and field validation.

Skills

C/C++/Rust

Python/Go

Firmware/Drivers

Embedded HW

Backend APIs

Ownership mindset

Education

Physics / ECE degree

Tools

Modbus

DNP3

CAN bus

Job description

About Critical Loop

Critical Loop is shaping the next generation of energy systems by building the integrated edge grid of the future. Specializing in advanced energy management and battery control systems, Critical Loop empowers businesses and communities to seamlessly unite distributed energy resources for faster, more reliable, and affordable grid access. With deep expertise in grid modernization and a passion for creating resilient, responsive energy solutions, Critical Loop drives innovation at the intersection of technology and energy.

We’re looking for a software engineer who is comfortable working beyond conventional application boundaries. You’ll contribute to everything from drivers and communication services running on embedded Linux hardware to backend systems, data pipelines, and the interfaces used by customers and operators.

You’ll collaborate directly with hardware engineers and develop software that controls and monitors physical systems deployed in the field. If you enjoy work where software has real-world consequences—and where debugging sometimes involves a multimeter—this role is for you.

This role is Hybrid in local market (Torrance and commutable surrounding areas)

Responsibilities

• Design and build software spanning embedded drivers, device communications, backend services, data pipelines, and operator-facing interfaces
• Develop the network communication and driver layers that power our site controllers and distributed energy resources
• Build and maintain automated data pipelines for utility interval data analysis and real-time energy monitoring
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to develop and iterate on embedded system designs
• Help architect systems that are reliable, observable, maintainable, and deployable across physically distributed sites
• Participate in hardware bring-up, field testing, commissioning, and debugging of deployed systems
• Own features from initial design through deployment and field validation

Requirements

• Proficiency in one or more systems programming languages, such as C, C++, or Rust
• Experience with a higher-level language used for services, automation, or data processing, such as Python or Go
• Experience writing firmware, drivers, or hardware-facing software for embedded targets
• Comfort working close to hardware, including reading schematics, debugging over serial or JTAG, and reasoning about timing and electrical behavior
• Experience building backend services and APIs, ideally for real-time, distributed, or telemetry-driven systems
• Ability to take ownership of ambiguous problems and operate with minimal oversight in a fast-moving startup environment

Preferred Requirements

• Familiarity with industrial protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, or CAN bus
• Experience with SCADA systems, distributed energy resources, or industrial controls
• Experience with battery energy storage systems, inverters, power conversion equipment, or other grid-edge hardware
• Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other safety-critical embedded domains
• Exposure to machine learning, signal processing, controls, or data analysis in a hardware context
• A degree in physics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline

Benefits

• equity ownership through stock options, giving you a stake in our success
• comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, and vision) through an HRA with a generous allowance
• retirement savings plan
• unlimited paid time off so you can recharge and maintain work-life balance

Critical Loop is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to building a diverse team and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.