Firmware Engineer - Hands

Apptronik; Clifton (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity. This role focuses on firmware for dexterous hand designs, motor control, and distributed embedded networks, ensuring tight integration with mechanical components and safety standards.

The successful candidate will contribute to real-time embedded firmware, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and tooling improvements as part of a team bringing Apollo to market at scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience; Master’s degree with a focus on controls, motor drives, or embedded systems is valued.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience developing embedded software; internships/co-ops/research acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with hands firmware team to develop, deploy, and maintain firmware for in-house dexterous hand designs.
• Work with mechanical engineers to ensure firmware tracks the mechanical design and exposes interfaces for tuning and validation.
• Develop motor control firmware for small motors driving the hand, including current control and basic position/torque loops.
• Develop firmware for distributed embedded networks connecting multiple MCUs.
• Help shape Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing strategies to validate hand performance, safety, and reliability at scale.
• Improve firmware quality, reliability, and field performance for fleets of hands in production robots, including telemetry and diagnostics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring up hand hardware from prototype to production.
• Participate in code reviews and design reviews, learning from senior engineers.
• Contribute to tooling, processes, and patterns with guidance from more experienced engineers.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Docker

Git

Real-time concepts

Oscilloscope debugging

Altium Designer

SPI, UART, RS485, CAN

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree focused on controls, motor drives, or embedded systems

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.

JOB SUMMARY

We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Collaborate with the hands firmware team to develop, deploy, and maintain firmware for in-house dexterous hand designs, including motor control, sensor I/O, and real-time communications.
• Work closely with mechanical engineers as the hand design evolves; ensure firmware tracks the mechanical design and exposes the right interfaces for tuning and validation.
• Contribute to motor control firmware for the small motors that drive the hand, including current control and basic position/torque loops.
• Develop firmware for distributed embedded networks that connect multiple MCUs.
• Help shape and execute the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing strategy to validate hand performance, safety, and reliability at scale.
• Help drive firmware quality, reliability, and field performance for fleets of hundreds of hands deployed in production humanoid robots, including telemetry, diagnostics, and root‑cause analysis of field failures.
• Work with cross-functional engineering teams to bring up hand hardware from prototype through production.
• Participate in code reviews, design reviews, and pair debugging, learning from and contributing alongside senior engineers.
• Contribute to discussions on tooling, processes, and patterns, with guidance from more experienced engineers.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience; Master’s degree with a focus on controls, motor drives, or embedded systems is especially valued.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience developing embedded software, including internships, co‑ops, research, or significant academic or personal projects; recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Solid working proficiency in C/C++; familiarity with Python, Docker, and Git.
• Exposure to firmware development for resource‑constrained embedded hardware (limited flash, RAM, and CPU; many peripherals across few MCUs).
• Familiarity with real‑time embedded firmware concepts and an eagerness to develop hard real‑time skills.
• Familiarity with motor control concepts for BLDC motors (e.g., field‑oriented control, current control, or position control).
• Familiarity with distributed embedded networks where multiple MCUs cooperate over real‑time buses.
• Exposure to deploying firmware to embedded devices through internships, projects, or coursework.
• Strong hardware debugging skills using tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics (Altium Designer preferred) and hardware datasheets.
• Experience with embedded communication protocols such as SPI, UART, RS485, and CAN.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with mechanical engineers on tightly integrated electromechanical assemblies.
• Eagerness to learn, take feedback, and grow technically within a collaborative team setting.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Experience with humanoid robotics, prosthetics, dexterous manipulation, or other compact electromechanical systems.
• Experience with EtherCAT for real‑time embedded communications.
• Experience developing in C and C++ for TI C2000 microcontrollers.
• Familiarity with safety‑critical embedded system design standards, including MISRA C and ISO 26262.
• Exposure to Agile workflows, including sprint planning, design reviews, and code reviews.
• Experience integrating tactile, force, or position sensors into embedded systems.
• Familiarity with model‑based design tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) for control design and code generation.
• Contributions to firmware tooling, build systems, or developer infrastructure.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate
• This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.

Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.