Build AI is the data hyperscaler for Physical AI. We're vertically integrated across hardware, manufacturing, logistics, collection, and model training to scale the physical labor dataset orders of magnitude faster than anyone in the world.
Job SummaryWe're hiring firmware/software in Shenzhen for the devices that record physical labor. The job is the path from sensor to bits leaving the device: capture, storage, reliability, and enough software that a factory team can flash, test, and ship. You sit next to PCB and mechanical, not in a pure software org.
Key ResponsibilitiesOwn firmware end-to-end on collection devices: boot, camera capture, storage, upload, recovery when the field is messy
Bring up new boards with PCB: clocks, buses (I2C, SPI, UART, USB), cameras, power — read the schematic, use a scope, close the bug
Build flashing, factory programming, and test software so we can make devices in volume (HIL or production validation a plus)
Develop diagnostics, logging, and enough host-side glue that SF data infra can ingest without a snowflake per SKU
Optimize for reliability and throughput, not a demo that dies after an hour
Work with SF software (data infra, pipelining) on the device-to-cloud contract
You've shipped firmware on real hardware, in C/C++/Rust or similar, and you can debug with a scope and a log
Experience with embedded architectures and IO (I2C, SPI, UART, USB or wireless), plus cameras, storage, and power
Comfortable reading schematics and working with EE on bring-up
You would rather make 10,000 devices that work than one that is clever
Software beyond firmware: factory tools, Python/Go to glue test and flash, simple device apps
OTA, failure-tolerant upload, or fleet observability
Delivered at least one project from prototype through production
Fine in Shenzhen and in factories. Mandarin useful. English enough to work with SF
Competitive pay
Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage
$500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits
Housing subsidy of $2k per month for those living within walking distance of the office
Relocation support for those moving to San Francisco (Financial District) or Shenzhen (Nanshan)
Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more
Daily lunch and dinner in our office
Unlimited compute budget subject to ROI justification
Unlimited Codex and Claude credits
Travel
Build believes in the Bitter Lesson. By taking a general approach of learning from humans, our addressable market is all physical labor.
We are a fully in-person team in San Francisco (Financial District) and Shenzhen (Nanshan), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both and work across disciplines as needed.
Build AI is an equal opportunity employer. We review every application. If you do not meet every bullet, still apply. Questions: [email protected]
Skills Required
- Shipped firmware on real hardware using C, C++, Rust, or similar
- Experience with embedded architectures and I/O such as I2C, SPI, UART, USB, or wireless
- Experience with cameras, storage, and power systems
- Ability to read schematics and collaborate with electrical engineers on board bring-up
- Ability to debug using an oscilloscope and logs
- Experience building devices intended for reliable, high-volume production
- Experience with factory tools, Python or Go, device applications, OTA, failure-tolerant uploads, fleet observability, or hardware-in-the-loop testing
- Delivered at least one project from prototype through production
- Comfort working in Shenzhen and factories
- Mandarin proficiency
- English proficiency sufficient to work with San Francisco teams
What We Do
Build AI is a public benefit corporation and data hyperscaler for Physical AI. It integrates hardware manufacturing, logistics, data collection, and model training to scale egocentric physical-labor datasets for researchers and labs. Its mission is to solve physical labor and unlock human potential, advancing robotics and physical superintelligence. The company operates in San Francisco and Shenzhen and develops economically useful human-data infrastructure.
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