Staff Firmware Engineer

Industrial Innovation Fund; Fremont (CA); Hybrid; USD 205,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan with company match

Equity/stock options

Medical, dental, vision insurance for

Benefit Start Date on first day

Employee Assistance Program

Unlimited PTO with holidays

On-site lunches and snacks

Parental leave

Flexible work environment

Professional development and tuition

Relocation assistance

Annual discretionary bonus

Job summary

Agility Robotics is seeking a Staff Firmware Engineer in a hybrid Fremont-based role to design and develop robust robot firmware, bridging hardware and control algorithms. You will drive C++ architecture, work with EtherCAT, CAN, and Ethernet, and ensure production-ready interfaces across multi-disciplinary teams.

The position requires 10+ years of experience in firmware for robotics, strong C++14/17/20 skills, FreeRTOS familiarity, Linux development, and the ability to read schematics and

Qualifications

• BS in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field with 10+ years industry experience.
• Experience writing modern C++ (17, 20).
• Experience with FreeRTOS or similar.
• Experience with best practices for writing performant and maintainable software.
• Proficiency with a Linux-based development environment.
• Ability to read schematics, PCB layouts, and component datasheets.
• Ability to verbally communicate technical information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the C++ firmware architecture that drives our robot’s low-level sensor network, controls, and power management systems.
• Develop the firmware communication layer utilizing EtherCAT, Ethernet, CAN, RS-485.
• Write firmware for the hardware abstraction layer, peripheral drivers, and applications.
• Perform real-time hardware testing and debugging using benchtop test equipment such as logic analyzers and oscilloscopes.
• Work with cross-disciplinary teams to solve complex problems involving the integration of software and hardware in robot systems.
• Write performant, well-tested, maintainable, and well-documented C++ code.

Skills

C++

Linux

Communication

Schematic reading

RTOS experience

Hardware-software integration

Education

BS in computer science or electrical engineering

Tools

FreeRTOS

ARM embedded C++

GTest

Jira

Git

CI/CD

EtherCAT/CAN

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking a Staff Firmware Engineer to work with cross-functional teams to plan robot firmware architecture, design subsystems, and develop robust and reliable firmware for our full line of robots. In this role, you will collaborate with a multi-discipline team of engineers to understand the unique requirements for our products and play a key role in ensuring that we have robot designs that are robust and production-ready. You will also serve as the bridge between hardware and higher level robot control algorithms by documenting interfaces and providing support to other engineers.

About The Work

• Contribute to the C++ firmware architecture that drives our robot’s low-level sensor network, controls, and power management systems
• Develop the firmware communication layer utilizing EtherCAT, Ethernet, CAN, RS-485
• Write firmware for the hardware abstraction layer, peripheral drivers, and applications
• Perform real-time hardware testing and debugging using benchtop test equipment such as logic analyzers and oscilloscopes.
• Work with cross-disciplinary teams to solve complex problems involving the integration of software and hardware in robot systems.
• Write performant, well-tested, maintainable, and well-documented C++ code

About You

• BS in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field with 10+ years industry experience
• Experience writing modern C++ (17, 20)
• Experience using FreeRTOS or similar
• Experience with best practices for writing performant and maintainable software
• Proficiency with a Linux-based development environment
• Ability to read schematics, PCB layouts, and component datasheets
• Ability to verbally communicate technical information effectively

Bonus Points

• Experience with implementation of automation fieldbuses such as EtherCAT, CAN, etc. EtherCAT is highly desirable
• Experience writing embedded C++ for ARM systems
• Experience developing real-time or low-latency systems
• Experience designing and implementing hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing frameworks for embedded systems
• Experience with unit testing such as with GTest and coverage analysis
• Familiarity with standard agile and software development processes (issue tracking tools (Jira), feature branching, version control (Git), continuous integration and deployment)

Location

• This is a hybrid position based out of our Fremont office. Candidates should anticipate regular travel to Salem, averaging ~15%, with bursts of extended stays during critical project phases.

The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to: job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Agility Robotics is a multi-state employer and this salary range may not reflect positions who work in other locations. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Anticipated Base Salary Range

$205,000 — $265,000 USD

In addition to base pay, our competitive total rewards package consists of the following for full-time employees:

• 401(k) Plan:Includes a 6% company match.
• Equity:Company stock options.
• Insurance Coverage:100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long-term disability insurance for employees.
• Benefit Start Date:Eligible for benefits on your first day of employment.
• Well-Being Support:Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Time Off:
  • Exempt Employees:Flexible, unlimited PTO and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown.
  • Non-Exempt Employees:10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 12 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually.
• On-Site Perks:Catered lunches four times a week and a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations.
• Parental Leave:Generous paid parental leave programs.
• Work Environment:A culture that supports flexible work arrangements.
• Growth Opportunities:Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.
• Relocation Assistance:Provided for eligible roles.
• Annual Discretionary Bonus: Provided for eligible roles.

All of our roles are U.S.-based. Applicants must have current authorization to work in the United States.

Agility Robotics is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits unlawful discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, it is the policy of Agility Robotics to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Agility Robotics prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.