Firmware Engineer - Rust

Socket.dev; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an experienced embedded firmware engineer to write low-level firmware for real-time robotics. You will bring up custom boards (STM32H7), develop drivers for sensors and actuators, and optimize data pipelines with Rust and C.

You will work hands-on with DMA, interrupts, and RTOS-based development (FreeRTOS/Zephyr), delivering reliable, low-latency control loops for high-dexterity robotic hands. Strong debugging and hardware validation skills are required.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS/MS in Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or related fields.
• Strong Rust + Embassy and modern C experience in embedded development.
• Experience with real-time systems and RTOS-based development (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or bare-metal).
• Strong Python skills for test automation, HIL testing, and hardware validation.

Responsibilities

• Bring up custom embedded boards (STM32H7 etc.) from scratch.
• Implement low-level drivers for sensors, actuators, communication buses, and custom peripherals.
• Develop high-reliability firmware using Rust (Embassy) and C, optimized for tight timing budgets.
• Build DMA-based and interrupt-driven interfaces for high-rate data pipelines.
• Implement and tune real-time control loops (position, torque, impedance, velocity).
• Develop high-frequency motor control firmware (100 Hz – 5 kHz loops).
• Integrate motor drivers, current sensors, and high-bandwidth servo feedback.
• Integrate and calibrate force & tactile sensors, multi-axis IMUs, encoders.
• Develop robust real-time safety systems: watchdogs, brownout detection, error monitors.
• Build bootloader/OTA systems for distributed firmware updates.
• Validate new PCB revisions with bringup tests and driver diagnostics.

Skills

Rust

Embassy

C

Real-time systems

Python

SPI/I2C/UART/CAN

DMA

RTOS

Education

BS in Robotics / Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Mechatronics

Tools

STM32H7

Job description

Join our embedded systems team to build the real-time firmware, drivers, and hardware-level infrastructure that power our next-generation robotic hands. You will work at the bleeding edge of robotics—developing low-latency motor control firmware, bringing up custom electronics, integrating advanced sensors, and ensuring highly reliable operation across our robotic platforms.

Role Overview

You will be responsible for writing low-level embedded firmware, performing driver bringup across a range of sensors/actuators, and building the real-time control pipelines that enable human-level dexterity. This role is hands-on and hardware-close: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMA registers, and data sheets will be part of your daily workflow.

Key Responsibilities

Embedded Firmware & Driver Development

• Bring up custom embedded boards (STM32H7 etc.) from scratch
• Implement low-level drivers for sensors, actuators, communication buses, and custom peripherals
• Develop high-reliability firmware using Rust (Embassy) and C, optimized for tight timing budgets
• Build DMA-based and interrupt-driven interfaces for high-rate data pipelines

Motor Control & Real-Time Systems

• Implement and tune real-time control loops (position, torque, impedance, velocity)
• Develop high-frequency motor control firmware (100 Hz – 5 kHz loops)
• Integrate motor drivers, current sensors, and high-bandwidth servo feedback

Sensor Bringup & Integration

• Integrate and calibrate:
  • Force & tactile sensors
  • Multi-axis IMUs
  • Encoders (magnetic, optical, and high-resolution absolute encoders)
• Build sensor fusion pipelines optimized for low latency and noise robustness.

System Infrastructure & Safety

• Develop robust real-time safety systems: watchdogs, brownout detection, error monitors
• Implement fail-safe behaviors and safety interlocks for robotic manipulation
• Build bootloader/OTA systems for distributed firmware updates

Hardware-Software Integration

• Validate new PCB revisions with bringup tests and driver diagnostics
• Work closely with mechanical/electrical teams to characterize hardware performance
• Collaborate with AI/control teams to optimize firmware performance for higher-level policies

Requirements

Must-Have

• Pursuing a BS/MS in Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or related fields
• Strong Rust + Embassy and modern C experience in embedded development
• Experience with real-time systems and RTOS-based development (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or bare-metal)
• Strong Python skills for test automation, HIL testing, and hardware validation
• Hands-on experience with embedded peripherals: SPI, I2C, UART, CAN/CAN-FD, PWM, ADC, DMA
• Solid understanding of:
  • Real-time control loops
  • Timing constraints & scheduler design
  • Interrupt latency and determinism

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with Linux-based real-time controllers (PREEMPT_RT)
• Familiarity with EtherCAT or high-speed robotic communication buses
• Experience with motor drivers (BLDC, servo motors), Hall sensors, or current sensing
• Exposure to ROS/ROS2, machine learning, or robotic control stack development
• Experience building bootloaders, OTA systems, or secure firmware signing
• Familiarity with JTAG/SWD debugging, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers