Firmware Engineer – Join a Stealth Startup Redefining the Future of Optical Computing!
Gardena, CA | Onsite
Opportunity Summary
A venture-backed, stealth-stage company at the intersection of hardware, photonics, and computing is developing next-generation optical systems that promise to revolutionize data transfer and performance at scale. The team is composed of world-class engineers, scientists, and builders from top institutions, all united by a mission to push computing beyond the limits of electrons and into the realm of light. As the Firmware Engineer, you’ll be responsible for the low-level software that drives cutting-edge optical communication hardware. You’ll architect, implement, and validate firmware systems that enable high-speed, high-reliability data links between next-generation devices. From bootloaders and initialization sequences to diagnostics and fault recovery, your work will directly power the future of optical manufacturing and deployment.
About Us
We are a stealth-mode, venture-backed startup creating foundational hardware for the next era of computing. Our belief is simple: photons, not electrons, will power the systems of tomorrow. We design our own hardware, build our own manufacturing lines, and write our own software to maximize performance and control every step of the process. With top-tier investors and a technically elite founding team, we’re accelerating toward the largest-scale optical hardware production line in North America.
Job Duties
- Design, implement, and maintain firmware that controls and monitors optical communication devices.
- Develop algorithms for adaptive signal tuning, automatic eye opening, and dynamic link training.
- Create robust startup, recovery, and fail-safe mechanisms to ensure consistent operation across thousands of deployed systems.
- Collaborate closely with hardware teams to define communication interfaces for custom silicon, I/O signaling, thermal behavior, and power management.
- Own firmware validation, including automated testing, production flashing workflows, and traceability for released builds.
- Optimize system performance, reliability, and power efficiency at the bare-metal level.
- Support manufacturing and field deployment teams by providing firmware updates, debug tools, and diagnostic capabilities.
Qualifications
- BS degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience developing firmware or embedded systems from the ground up.
- Strong proficiency in C or C++ and scripting experience with Python.
- Solid understanding of low-level communication protocols such as SPI, I²C, and DMA.
- Experience bringing up embedded systems, writing drivers, and debugging real-time software.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities grounded in first principles.
- Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Experience
- Skilled at reviewing schematics and defining firmware-hardware interface requirements.
- Familiarity with DSP or signal-processing algorithms for data communication or control systems.
- Experience with RTOS, build automation, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
- Background in robotics, controls, or systems integration.
- Prior experience mentoring junior engineers or leading small technical projects.
Why Join Us
- Work directly with a world-class founding team on frontier technology.
- Opportunity for rapid growth in a company shaping the future of optical computing.
- Strong PTO policy and flexible work environment.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Competitive equity options.
- Relocation support to Los Angeles.
Compensation Details
$120,000 - $190,000
