Firmware Engineer – Build the Core Software Behind the Future of Optical Computing!

Gardena, CA (Onsite)

Opportunity Summary

A stealth-mode, venture-backed startup is developing cutting-edge optical computing hardware designed to outperform traditional electronics at scale. With a team of experienced founders and deep-tech engineers, we’re building an integrated system from the ground up, hardware, software, and manufacturing, to unlock the next era of high-speed, low-power computation. We’re hiring a Firmware Engineer to own the development of embedded software that brings our first product to life. From bootloaders and signal control to link training and diagnostics, this is a role for someone who wants to work close to hardware, solve real-world timing and signal challenges, and ship production-ready systems.

About Us

We are a Los Angeles-based deep-tech startup operating in stealth, combining photonics, custom hardware, and automated manufacturing to develop a novel computing platform. Our team blends backgrounds in high-performance systems, embedded software, and precision hardware engineering. We're scaling fast and building every layer of the stack internally, from silicon to factory floor.

Job Duties

• Design and implement low-level firmware to manage all aspects of transceiver operation, including signal conditioning, startup routines, and real-time link diagnostics
• Develop algorithms for link training, automatic eye opening, and adaptive optimization in varying field conditions
• Build robust initialization sequences, bootloaders, and fault-recovery mechanisms for high-reliability deployment
• Lead validation and release processes for production firmware, including factory flash procedures and traceability systems
• Collaborate with hardware teams to define and optimize hardware/software interfaces for power systems, timing, and custom I/O
• Push the limits of performance and reliability on bare-metal embedded platforms, optimizing every byte and cycle
• Maintain a clean, scalable codebase with automated test coverage and documented workflows

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience developing firmware or embedded systems from first principles
• Strong background in C/C++ and scripting in Python
• Hands-on experience developing drivers and control logic for I²C, SPI, ADC, DMA, or similar low-level protocols
• Solid understanding of embedded architecture, real-time systems, and debugging techniques
• Ability to reason from first principles and troubleshoot across hardware and software boundaries
• Strong communication skills and comfort working across functions in a dynamic environment

Preferred Experience

• Experience reading hardware schematics and defining hardware/software integration boundaries
• Background in digital signal processing, robotics, or control systems
• Familiarity with RTOSs, build pipelines, and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading firmware projects to completion
• Comfort working with distributed Linux systems and full-stack firmware architecture

Security Clearance

• Must be able to obtain US Secret clearance.

Why Join Us

• Build foundational systems at a company redefining what's possible with light
• Work closely with a technical founding team on complex, high-impact problems
• Early-stage equity in a venture-backed, high-growth deep tech company
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid parental leave and generous PTO policy
• Flexible and focused work culture
• Relocation support to Southern California
• 401(k) plan and future leadership opportunities

Compensation Details

$120,000 - $200,000

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