Software Engineer (Embedded)

Driving the development of embedded systems and firmware that enable the robot to: 1. execute real-time control loops with microsecond precision for stable locomotion and manipulation 2. ensure safety-critical operation through robust fault detection, emergency systems, and reliable hardware interfacing

Core Responsibilities Developing firmware for motor controllers, sensor boards, and safety systems with hard real-time constraints Implementing communication protocols and hardware abstraction layers for seamless integration across embedded systems Creating real-time control loop implementations and sensor data processing for actuator control and feedback systems Leading embedded system debugging, optimization, and validation for production-ready reliability and performance Hard Skills Embedded C/C++ programming with RTOS experience and real-time system design Motor control firmware development: FOC, PWM generation, encoder interfacing, and closed-loop control algorithms Communication protocols expertise: CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, with multi-board system architecture Microcontroller platforms (ARM Cortex, STM32) with debugging tools: JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers Safety-critical embedded systems: fault detection, watchdog timers, emergency stop implementation, and system monitoring Essential Mindset Adaptability & Startup Resilience: Thrives in uncertain environments with changing priorities, comfortable with resource constraints Communication & Collaboration: Effectively explains technical concepts to diverse audiences and collaborates constructively across teams Ownership & Initiative: Takes full responsibility for outcomes and proactively identifies and solves problems without waiting for direction Learning Agility: Rapidly acquires new skills, stays current with industry trends, and actively shares knowledge with teammates Mission Alignment: Genuinely excited about xTerra's vision, with a deep understanding of target users and problems being solved