Haptics Firmware Engineer

Hark

$120K — $300K *
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of firmware development experience in C and C++ for microcontrollers.
  • Hands-on experience with motor or actuator control techniques such as PID and feed-forward methods.
  • Proficient in using scopes and logic analyzers; familiar with I²C, SPI, or I²S bus traffic.
  • Knowledge of Python or other scripting languages for automation and analysis.
  • Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts to non-technical team members.
  • Strong understanding of the nuances that make haptic feedback feel engaging.

Responsibilities

  • Develop real-time firmware for motion and haptic systems using C and C++.
  • Tune actuator controllers for optimal user experience and response times.
  • Build and test early hardware prototypes to refine feel and timing.
  • Collaborate with product and industrial design teams to optimize final user interactions.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to influence the next generation of haptic technology.
  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on user experience.
  • Involvement in cutting-edge projects in motion control and firmware systems.
  • Potential for significant professional growth in the field of embedded engineering.
Full Job Description
About the Role

Hark is looking for an experience-focused, hands-on embedded engineer to build haptic and motion control system firmware and software that deliver incredible interaction experiences. We care a lot about how things feel, and how the people that use them feel, and we want someone who shares that craft mindset.

Responsibilities
  • Write real-time firmware in C and C++ that drives motion and haptic systems.
  • Close the loop on response time and feel. characterize actuator behavior on the bench and tune controllers until the result is genuinely pleasant to use.
  • Stand up early hardware, prove out feel and timing in prototype form, and shape the final shipping experience alongside product and industrial design partners.

Requirements
  • 5+ years writing firmware for microcontrollers in C and C++.
  • Demonstrated hands-on motor or actuator control work that shipped - PID, feed-forward, FOC, observers, and similar techniques.
  • Comfort on the bench with scopes, logic analyzers, and bus traffic over I²C, SPI, or I²S.
  • Working knowledge of Python or another scripting language for measurement automation and quick data analysis.
  • Clear written communication - you can explain a tradeoff to a non-firmware teammate without losing them.
  • A strong instinct for what distinguishes haptics that feel right.

Bonus Qualifications
  • DSP fundamentals: filtering, time-domain shaping, and basic perceptual modeling.
  • RTOS experience or comfort with bare-metal scheduling for hard real-time control loops.
  • Familiarity with low-power system design and the measurement habits that come with it.
  • Prior work on consumer haptics, audio, or other systems where feel and timing are visible to the user.

Compensation

The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $120,000 - $300,000 annually.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.

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