Senior Firmware Engineer

Searchability®; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering electric vehicle company in San Francisco is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to lead the development of secure software for connected vehicles. The role demands expertise in embedded systems and security, with responsibilities including firmware development and collaborating in a lab environment. The company offers a competitive salary and a dynamic work atmosphere.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional embedded software experience, shipping real products.
• Strong proficiency in C / C++ for resource-constrained embedded systems.
• Solid background in embedded security concepts (encryption, secure boot, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Lead on embedded software for secure, connected electric vehicles.
• Implement secure communication and device-level access control.
• Work hands-on in the lab with hardware and debugging tools.

Skills

Embedded software experience

C / C++ proficiency

Embedded security concepts

Hands-on hardware work

Project ownership

Collaborative mindset

Authorization to work in the US

Job description

This range is provided by Searchability®. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base Pay Range

$180,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

Senior Embedded Software Engineer – Hardware Security

On‑site hardware lab and workshop with flexibility for occasional remote days.

About Our Client

Our client is a well‑funded, early‑stage electric vehicle company developing connected electric vehicles for high‑growth international markets. They are now looking to scale their electric vehicle business.

Role Overview

You’ll take the lead on embedded software for secure, connected electric vehicles. Owning firmware that runs on constrained devices and must be robust in adversarial real‑world environments. This includes implementing secure communication, device‑level access control, and core control logic that keeps vehicles running safely and reliably. You’ll work hands‑on in the lab with hardware, oscilloscopes, and test rigs, collaborating closely with the founders to bring the product from prototype to production.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 7+ years of professional embedded software experience, shipping real products
• Strong proficiency in C / C++ for resource‑constrained embedded systems
• Solid background in embedded security concepts (encryption, secure boot, key management, secure communications, etc.)
• Experience developing firmware for devices deployed in the field and exposed to potential tampering or attack
• Comfortable working hands‑on with hardware: boards, tools, lab equipment, and debugging at the chip / firmware level
• Proven track record of owning complex embedded projects end to end in a commercial environment
• High‑skill, low‑ego mindset: practical, collaborative, and comfortable in a small, fast‑moving team
• Existing authorization to work in the US (visa sponsorship is not available for this role)

Nice to Have

• Experience with automotive, mobility, or other safety‑critical or mission‑critical devices
• Background in secure hardware products such as crypto wallets, secure storage devices, or similar
• Prior experience in small teams, startups, or founder / co‑founder backgrounds showing strong ownership

Application Instructions

Please either apply online or email [e-mail] for further information.

By applying for this role you give express consent for us to process & submit your application to our client in conjunction with this vacancy only.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter @SearchableJim or connect with me on LinkedIn (search James Roberts). I look forward to hearing from you.