Lead Firmware Engineer, Robotics

engineeringjobs.net, Inc.; Town of Montana (WI); On-site; USD 207,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Google's Haptics and Input Sensing group seeks a Lead Firmware Engineer to define embedded software architecture for next-generation robotic and motor-control hardware in Mountain View. You will own foundational decisions across RTOS, safe fault handling, and sensor integration while guiding firmware initiatives.

This advanced role offers collaboration with Electrical, Mechanical, Product, and Software teams, driving reliability, latency, and observability standards, and mentoring engineers to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field.
• 8 years of software development experience.
• 5 years of testing and launching software products.
• 5 years' experience with embedded operating systems.
• 3 years of software design and architecture experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end firmware architecture for robotic systems.
• Develop and optimize low-level motor drivers and sensor interfaces.
• Design closed-loop control algorithms and trajectory planning.
• Collaborate with Electrical, Mechanical, Product, Operations, and Software teams.
• Establish firmware standards for reliability, latency, and observability; mentor engineers.

Skills

Embedded systems

C/C++ or Rust

RTOS

Motor control

Trajectory planning

Software architecture

Sensor integration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Master's or PhD in CS/EE/Robotics

Tools

C/C++

Rust

Job description

Lead Firmware Engineer, Robotics

Location: Mountain View, CA, USA

Experience Level: Advanced

Minimum Qualifications

• * Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.


• * 8 years of experience in software development.


• * 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.


• * 5 years of experience working with embedded operating systems.


• * 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.

Preferred Qualifications

• * Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.


• * Experience with motor control and electromechanical systems.


• * Experience developing low-level drivers for brushless DC (BLDC) motors, gate drivers, and high-resolution encoders.


• * Experience shipping high-volume electromechanical consumer products or robotic hardware. Familiarity with AI-assisted coding systems to accelerate implementation, debugging, and iteration.


• * Expertise in embedded systems (RTOS, low-level peripherals) using C/C++ or Rust.


• * Expertise in designing and implementing kinematics, trajectory planning, and closed-loop control algorithms.

About the Job

The Haptics and Input Sensing group develops state-of-the-art mechatronic, sensing, and actuation solutions for Google devices. Our goal is to deliver magical user experiences by introducing novel sensing, actuation, and robotic capabilities through hardware and software refinements.

We are looking for a Firmware Lead to define and drive the embedded software architecture for our next-generation robotic and motor control hardware. In this role, you will initially lead firmware development for our most ambitious next-generation program, owning foundational decisions across real-time execution, motor control algorithms, safety-critical fault handling, and sensor integration. Long-term, you will help build and scale our robotics engineering team, establishing standards for safety, reliability, and fast-paced mechatronic innovation.

Compensation

• * US: $207,000 - $300,000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google.

Responsibilities

• * Drive the end-to-end firmware architecture, development, and execution for next-generation robotic and mechatronic systems.


• * Develop and optimize low-level motor drivers, interface with encoders and gate drivers, and implement safety-critical fault handling logic.


• * Design and implement closed-loop control algorithms, kinematics, and trajectory planning for mechatronic and robotic systems.


• * Partner closely with cross-functional teams (Electrical, Mechanical, Product, Operations, Software teams) from early prototype bring-up to system-level integration.


• * Establish firmware engineering standards for reliability, latency, and observability, while mentoring team members to scale a high-excellence engineering culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy.

If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.

Note

Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, is subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.