Boston Dynamics

Senior Firmware Engineer

Boston Dynamics$150K — $220K *
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 6+ years of embedded systems development experience, particularly in robotics.
  • Proficient in C/C++ with experience in RTOS and bare-metal systems.
  • Hands-on experience with ARM Cortex, STM32, or similar microcontroller platforms.
  • Knowledgeable in communication protocols like UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and Ethernet.
  • Strong grasp of control systems, kinematics, and motion algorithms.
  • Proficient with debugging tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
  • Experience with Git, CI/CD, Agile methodologies, and ideally ROS/ROS 2.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and debug firmware for humanoid robots focusing on motion control and sensor integration.
  • Collaborate with hardware teams for microcontroller and peripheral integration.
  • Design and implement drivers for motors and communication protocols.
  • Optimize firmware for performance, reliability, and power efficiency.
  • Develop and test real-time control algorithms for robotic movements.
  • Lead and mentor junior engineers while promoting best practices.
  • Ensure security and fail-safe mechanisms in embedded systems.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus virtual care resources.
  • 23 days of paid time off, separate sick leave, and paid company holidays.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.
  • Equity options to allow builders to share in the success of their work.
  • Free daily catered lunch and snacks in-office.
  • Opportunity to collaborate with leading engineers and researchers in AI and robotics.
  • Empowerment to influence product direction and lead key initiatives.
Full Job Description


About the Role

As a Senior Firmware Engineer on the Core Platform team in Boston, you will play a critical role in developing the firmware that powers our next generation of humanoid robots. In this position you will work at the intersection of robotics, embedded systems, and real-time control, building the software that enables advanced motion, balance, and interaction with complex environments. You'll collaborate closely with hardware and systems teams to integrate microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators, while designing robust, high-performance firmware and real-time algorithms.

What You'll Do:
  • Develop and debug firmware for humanoid robots, focusing on motion control, stabilization, sensor integration and ethernet based communication.
  • Collaborate with hardware teams to design seamless integration of microcontrollers and peripherals.
  • Design and implement drivers for motors, sensors, and communication protocols.
  • Optimize firmware for performance, reliability, and power efficiency.
  • Develop and test real-time control algorithms for robotic movement and balance.
  • Lead and mentor junior engineers, conducting code reviews and promoting best practices.
  • Ensure robust security and fail-safe mechanisms in embedded systems.
  • Maintain technical documentation and manage version control of firmware.


We're Looking For:
  • 6+ years of experience in embedded systems development, preferably in robotics.
  • Proficiency in C and C++ for microcontrollers, with experience in RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr) and bare-metal systems.
  • Hands-on experience with ARM Cortex, STM32, or similar platforms.
  • Familiarity with communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and Ethernet.
  • Strong understanding of control systems, kinematics, and motion algorithms.
  • Experience with debugging tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
  • Working knowledge of Git, CI/CD, and Agile methodologies.
  • Preferred experience with ROS/ROS 2, machine learning, or computer vision.
  • Experience with and/or an interest in using Rust for embedded systems


What We Offer
  • Comprehensive health coverage for US-based employees, including fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with virtual care and employee assistance resources.
  • Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of PTO (accrued), separate sick leave, and paid company holidays.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
  • Equity included-we believe builders should share in what they build.
  • Free daily catered lunch, snacks, and drinks in-office.
  • Collaboration with top-tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
  • Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.


For this role in Massachusetts, the expected base salary range is $150K-$220K USD per year; your placement in that range depends on how your experience maps to our internal leveling.

About Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics is an American engineering and robotics design company founded in 1992 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The company is best known for the development of BigDog, a quadruped robot designed for the U.S. military. Boston Dynamics has also developed a number of other robots, including Spot, a four-legged robot designed for indoor and outdoor operation, and Atlas, a humanoid robot designed for a variety of search and rescue tasks. In 2013, the company was acquired by Google X, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. In 2020, the company was acquired by Hyundai Motor Group. Boston Dynamics is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Learn more about Boston Dynamics
Size
300 employees
Industry
Founded
1992

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