Software Engineer – Product Prototypes and Technology Demonstrations

Lyte; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity

Medical dental vision

401(k)

Flexible vacation

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Lyte seeks an embedded software engineer to co-develop software in C++ and Python alongside hardware bring-up and board design. You will refine drivers, work with existing frameworks, and extend components to deliver new features while maintaining system stability.

You will collaborate with Systems and Physical AI teams in a fast-paced startup environment, owning prototypes through production hand-off and turning research concepts into robust embedded code.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• 2+ years of professional industry experience or 5+ years of high-impact applied research with hardware-software integration.
• Advanced proficiency in Python.
• Advanced proficiency in C/C++.
• Proven experience in rapid prototyping.
• Proven experience in working with cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop software in C++ and Python over evolving hardware, including chip bring-up and board design interaction.
• Build upon existing drivers and software frameworks, collaborating with other teams' modules.
• Extensively modify existing components to add new functionality while integrating with the codebase.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Rapid prototyping

Cross-functional teams

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Applied Math

MS or PhD in CS/EE/Applied Math

Tools

Embedded Linux

RTOS

JTAG/SWD debuggers

Logic analyzers/Oscilloscopes

Job description

About Lyte

Lyte builds perception systems for Physical AI operating in complex environments. The company combines custom silicon, integrated sensors, and software into a unified platform for robotics, mobility, and next-generation automation. Lyte is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with a global presence. For more information, visit www.lyte.ai

What You'll Do

• Develop software in C++ and Python over evolving hardware, i.e., software development simultaneously with and over chip bring-up, board design, and ongoing hardware development more generally
• Build upon existing drivers and established software frameworks, including working directly with source code and modules developed and owned by other employees
• Extensively modify existing components, including mature components to achieve new functionality – potentially working on the side of the existing codebase
• Establish streamlined, risk-based code review and CI/CD workflows tailored for rapid iteration without compromising system stability.
• Formulate and implement software architectures on short timescales
• Succeed in a cross-functional environment with key stakeholders outside of the software organization, including Systems and Physical AI organizations
• Technical ownership and long-term support of the developed prototypes well into the production process
• Hand-off successful prototypes to the production software teams
• Act as the primary bridge between theoretical research and physical implementation, re-architecting algorithms from subject matter experts (e.g., PhD researchers or Systems Engineers) into high-performance embedded code.
• Synthesize complex technical concepts into 'living' documentation and modular code that accelerates the production roadmap.
• Leverage AI-assisted coding and simulation tools to accelerate boilerplate generation and early-stage validation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or other related technical field
• 2+ years of professional industry experience, or 5+ years of high-impact applied research (e.g., PhD/Post-Doc) with a demonstrable focus on tangible hardware-software integration.
• Advanced proficiency in Python
• Advanced proficiency in C/C++
• Proven experience in rapid prototyping
• Proven experience in working with cross-functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or other related technical field
• 5+ years of formal employment experience developing software in embedded systems
• Engineering background in EE, systems, optics, or laser-based sensing
• Ability to operate effectively in a startup environment with ambiguity, speed, and strong ownership culture
• Proven experience in software development for embedded Linux
• Proven experience in chip and board bring-up
• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Experience with hardware debugging tools such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and JTAG/SWD debuggers.
• Familiarity with interpreting hardware schematics and datasheets to inform software architecture.
• Proven track record of translating complex academic or R&D concepts (e.g., from a thesis or research project) into functional, real-world prototypes.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing and automated firmware validation frameworks.
• Familiarity with quantizing and deploying machine learning models to resource-constrained edge devices.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible vacation and time-off policy
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work environment
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with a highly cross-functional team

The Pay Range For This Role Is

80,000 - 180,000 USD per year(Bay Area, CA)