Staff Firmware Engineer

Humanoid; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage (US)

23 days PTO

401(k) match

Equity

Free daily lunch

Collaboration with AI/robotics experts

Own initiatives

Job summary

Humanoid in Boston is seeking a Staff Firmware Engineer to advance firmware powering our humanoid robots. You will work at the intersection of robotics, embedded systems, and real-time control, integrating microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators while delivering high-performance firmware.

You will lead real-time control algorithms, optimize for power and reliability, and mentor junior engineers. Collaboration with hardware and software teams is essential to push our HMND‑01 Alpha platform to

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in embedded systems development, preferably in robotics.
• Proficiency in C and C++ for microcontrollers, with experience in RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr) and bare-metal systems.
• Hands-on experience with ARM Cortex, STM32, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and debug firmware for humanoid robots, focusing on motion control, stabilization, sensor integration and ethernet based communication.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to design seamless integration of microcontrollers and peripherals.
• Design and implement drivers for motors, sensors, and communication protocols.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS

ARM Cortex

Ethernet

Git

CI/CD

ROS/ROS 2

Rust (embedded)

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Git

CI/CD pipelines

ROS

Job description

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.

About the Role

As a Staff Firmware Engineer on the Core Platform team in Boston, you will play a critical role in developing the firmware that powers our next generation of humanoid robots. In this position you will work at the intersection of robotics, embedded systems, and real-time control, building the software that enables advanced motion, balance, and interaction with complex environments. You’ll collaborate closely with hardware and systems teams to integrate microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators, while designing robust, high-performance firmware and real-time algorithms.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and debug firmware for humanoid robots, focusing on motion control, stabilization, sensor integration and ethernet based communication.

• Collaborate with hardware teams to design seamless integration of microcontrollers and peripherals.

• Design and implement drivers for motors, sensors, and communication protocols.

• Optimize firmware for performance, reliability, and power efficiency.

• Develop and test real-time control algorithms for robotic movement and balance.

• Lead and mentor junior engineers, conducting code reviews and promoting best practices.

• Ensure robust security and fail-safe mechanisms in embedded systems.

• Maintain technical documentation and manage version control of firmware.

We’re Looking For:

• 8+ years of experience in embedded systems development, preferably in robotics.

• Proficiency in C and C++ for microcontrollers, with experience in RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr) and bare-metal systems.

• Hands‑on experience with ARM Cortex, STM32, or similar platforms.

• Familiarity with communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and Ethernet.

• Strong understanding of control systems, kinematics, and motion algorithms.

• Experience with debugging tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.

• Working knowledge of Git, CI/CD, and Agile methodologies.

• Preferred experience with ROS/ROS 2, machine learning, or computer vision.

• Experience with and/or an interest in using Rust for embedded systems

What We Offer

• Comprehensive health coverage for US‑based employees, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with virtual care and employee assistance resources.

• Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of PTO (accrued), separate sick leave, and paid company holidays.

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.

• Equity included–we believe builders should share in what they build.

• Free daily catered lunch, snacks, and drinks in‑office.

• Collaboration with top‑tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.

• Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.

For this role in Massachusetts, the expected base salary range is $150K–$220K USD per year; your placement in that range depends on how your experience maps to our internal leveling.