Embedded Jobs in Davis, CA (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to lead the development of firmware architecture for our Gatekeeper-based BESS control platform. This role focuses on integrating third-party control libraries, enabling reliable communication with battery and inverter systems, and building scalable firmware to support real-time control, system monitoring, and IoT connectivity.

You will work at the intersection of embedded systems, energy control, and communications, helping define how our platform manages and optimizes residential energy systems.

Responsibilities:

• Firmware architecture design: Define and implement scalable, modular firmware architecture for BESS control and system management. Establish clear interfaces between application, middleware, and hardware layers.

• Third-party library integration: Integrate external BESS control and management libraries into the embedded system. Ensure compatibility, performance, and safe interaction with real-time firmware.

• Communication systems development: Design, implement, and debug communication interfaces over CAN and RS485 for interaction with battery systems, inverters, and other field devices.

• Telemetry and data management: Develop data acquisition pipelines and internal data models to support system control, monitoring, and IoT/cloud reporting.

• System validation and debugging: Lead system-level validation, including timing, memory, and communication reliability. Develop and execute unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop tests.

• Hardware-software integration: Work closely with hardware teams to interface with embedded peripherals and ensure correct system behavior across the HW/SW boundary.

• Reliability and safety: Implement fault detection, watchdogs, and safe-state handling for robust operation in real-time energy systems.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with systems, hardware, and cloud teams to ensure cohesive product development and successful integration of the full energy platform.

Requirements:

• Educational: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field. Strong foundation in embedded systems and real-time control.

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in embedded firmware development, with demonstrated experience in system architecture and complex system integration.

Embedded Systems Expertise:

• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems

• Experience with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers (STM32 preferred)

• Experience with RTOS-based systems (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr preferred)

System Architecture:

• Proven ability to design modular and scalable firmware architectures

• Experience integrating third-party libraries into embedded systems

• Strong understanding of real-time systems and task scheduling

Communications:

• Experience with CAN / CAN FD and RS485 (e.g., Modbus RTU)

• Ability to design and debug communication protocols and interfaces

Integration & Validation:

• Experience with system debugging (timing, concurrency, memory)

• Familiarity with unit testing, integration testing, and HIL testing

Hardware Interaction:

• Ability to read schematics and interface with hardware

• Experience with embedded peripherals (UART, SPI, I2C, ADC, CAN)

• Experience using lab debugging tools (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, JTAG/SWD)

Data & Telemetry:

• Experience designing data acquisition and telemetry systems

• Familiarity with IoT protocols (MQTT, REST) preferred

Reliability & Safety:

• Experience designing fault-tolerant and robust embedded systems

• Knowledge of watchdogs, reset handling, and system monitoring

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with BESS, battery management systems, or inverter integration

• Familiarity with energy systems and grid-interactive devices

• Experience with isolated communication architectures

• Experience with secure firmware or OTA update systems

In addition to base pay, compensation program includes a bonus structure and equity for full-time employees of all levels.