Embedded Firmware Engineer - Principal

About Us

Butlr is on a mission to make the built environment people-aware. We live and work in houses and buildings that aren't aware of their inhabitants. We heat and cool spaces when no one is in them, clean areas that haven't been used, and lease office space that no one is using. Our vision is to enable smarter buildings and increase the quality of life while respecting privacy. 

Spun out of the MIT Media Lab in 2019 with offices in Silicon Valley and Boston, Butlr was founded by Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs Honghao Deng and Jiani Zeng. Butlr pioneers in space occupancy and people sensing technologies and delivers rich spatial intelligence for workplace, retail, and healthcare use cases. We help customers revolutionize the way they operate in human-centric environments, ensuring efficiency and productivity at every step.

We are backed by top venture capital institutions and strategic investors such as Foundry Group, Tiger Global, Qualcomm Ventures, E14 Fund, and Carrier, among others. We are recognized as one of Fast Company's "2024 Most Innovative Companies", Inc. Magazine's "2023 Best in Business'' (AI & Data Category), World Economic Forum's Top Innovator in YES San Francisco Challenge, among other awards/recognitions. We operate with top occupiers, landlords, care facilities, and service providers in North America, Europe, and Asia. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional solutions and service to numerous prestigious customers, tech giants, and world's largest conglomerates and brands.

We are hiring talented and passionate people to join our team to help us continue our rapid growth.

About the Role:

We are seeking a visionary and highly experienced Principal Embedded Firmware Engineer with deep expertise in embedded systems, software architecture, and advanced testing methodologies to lead our engineering team. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, and a technical leader with a proven track record of delivering high-quality, reliable embedded systems at scale. In this role, you will drive the technical direction of our embedded firmware development, mentor a team of engineers, and ensure that our products meet the highest standards of performance, quality, and reliability.  

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, with formal training in embedded development.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in embedded firmware development, with a proven track record of leading successful projects and delivering high-quality, reliable products.
• Extensive expertise in embedded operating systems, kernel development, or device drivers on multi-core systems, with a demonstrated ability to deliver complex projects on time.
• Mastery of programming languages such as Python, C, Rust, or C++, with a focus on microcontroller development and delivering clean, maintainable code.
• Exceptional problem-solving and debugging skills, particularly in distributed systems, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• In-depth understanding of networking, communication systems, and data security, with significant experience ensuring product robustness and security.
• Proven experience with cloud-based architectures for IoT and embedded systems, including AWS or other platforms, with a focus on reliability and scalability.
• Strong commitment to developing testable code and leading the adoption of test-driven development practices across the team.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across the organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading products from concept through mass production, with a strong understanding of the entire product development lifecycle.
• Deep expertise in RF and wireless communications, particularly Bluetooth, mesh networking, and IoT systems.
• Knowledge of electrical or mechanical test harnesses, control code, and fixture design.
• Familiarity with advanced networking protocols and embedded communication systems. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership in the design and development of advanced embedded firmware, setting the standard for quality, performance, and reliability across the team.
• Architect and oversee the implementation of scalable embedded software solutions, ensuring alignment with project timelines and business objectives.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware, systems, and product teams, to define and execute the embedded firmware roadmap.
• Lead the development and execution of rigorous testing strategies, ensuring comprehensive coverage and validation of all edge case scenarios.
• Diagnose and resolve complex system issues, guiding the team in identifying and mitigating potential risks proactively.
• Mentor and develop a team of engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Location: This is a hybrid role based in our office in Burlingame, CA.

Salary: $185k - $210k

Benefits:

• World-class team with low ego.
• A work environment that is flexible
• Comprehensive health benefits package
• Retirement savings plan
• Flexible time off
• Professional development opportunities

Why working at Butlr is great!

We are building a culture that puts people first! We’re a team of engaging, motivated, and intelligent problem-solvers who are committed to making an impact. We believe in fostering a culture of healthy work-life balance, and we encourage an inviting, collaborative, fun work environment.

Butlr is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply!

Disclaimers

Butlr provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.