Proception Inc
Firmware Engineer – Sensing & Actuation
Proception Inc, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94306
Join our embedded systems team to build the
real-time firmware, drivers, and hardware-level infrastructure
that power our next-generation robotic hands. You will work at the bleeding edge of robotics—developing low-latency motor control firmware, bringing up custom electronics, integrating advanced sensors, and ensuring highly reliable operation across our robotic platforms.
Role Overview
You will be responsible for writing low-level embedded firmware, performing driver bringup across a range of sensors/actuators, and building the real-time control pipelines that enable human-level dexterity. This role is hands-on and hardware-close: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMA registers, and data sheets will be part of your daily workflow.
️ Key Responsibilities
Embedded Firmware & Driver Development
Bring up custom embedded boards (STM32H7, ESP32, RP2040, etc.) from scratch
Implement low-level drivers for sensors, actuators, communication buses, and custom peripherals
Develop high-reliability firmware using
Rust (Embassy) and C , optimized for tight timing budgets
Build DMA-based and interrupt-driven interfaces for high-rate data pipelines
Motor Control & Real-Time Systems
Implement and tune real-time control loops (position, torque, impedance, velocity)
Develop high-frequency motor control firmware (100 Hz — 5 kHz loops)
Integrate motor drivers, current sensors, and high-bandwidth servo feedback
Sensor Bringup & Integration
Integrate and calibrate:
Force & tactile sensors
Multi-axis IMUs
Encoders (magnetic, optical, and high-resolution absolute encoders)
Build sensor fusion pipelines optimized for low latency and noise robustness
System Infrastructure & Safety
Develop robust real-time safety systems: watchdogs, brownout detection, error monitors
Implement fail-safe behaviors and safety interlocks for robotic manipulation
Build bootloader/OTA systems for distributed firmware updates
Hardware-Software Integration
Validate new PCB revisions with bringup tests and driver diagnostics
Work closely with mechanical/electrical teams to characterize hardware performance
Collaborate with AI/control teams to optimize firmware performance for higher-level policies
⚡ Requirements
Must-Have
Pursuing a BS/MS in
Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechatronics , or related fields
Strong Rust Embassy and modern C experience
in embedded development
Experience with real-time systems and RTOS-based development (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or bare-metal)
Strong Python skills for test automation, HIL testing, and hardware validation
Hands‑on experience with embedded peripherals:
SPI, I2C, UART, CAN/CAN‑FD, PWM, ADC, DMA
Solid understanding of:
Real‑time control loops
Timing constraints & scheduler design
Interrupt latency and determinism
Nice-to-Have
Experience with
Linux‑based real‑time controllers
(PREEMPT_RT)
Familiarity with
EtherCAT
or high‑speed robotic communication buses
Experience with motor drivers (BLDC, servo motors), Hall sensors, or current sensing
Exposure to ROS/ROS2, machine learning, or robotic control stack development
Experience building bootloaders, OTA systems, or secure firmware signing
Familiarity with JTAG/SWD debugging, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers
Compensation & Benefits
High‑impact ownership over mission‑critical embedded systems
Work alongside world‑class roboticists, embedded engineers, and AI researchers
Access to cutting‑edge robotics labs, tools, and custom hardware
Competitive salary equity for full‑time roles
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
#J-18808-Ljbffr
real-time firmware, drivers, and hardware-level infrastructure
that power our next-generation robotic hands. You will work at the bleeding edge of robotics—developing low-latency motor control firmware, bringing up custom electronics, integrating advanced sensors, and ensuring highly reliable operation across our robotic platforms.
Role Overview
You will be responsible for writing low-level embedded firmware, performing driver bringup across a range of sensors/actuators, and building the real-time control pipelines that enable human-level dexterity. This role is hands-on and hardware-close: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, DMA registers, and data sheets will be part of your daily workflow.
️ Key Responsibilities
Embedded Firmware & Driver Development
Bring up custom embedded boards (STM32H7, ESP32, RP2040, etc.) from scratch
Implement low-level drivers for sensors, actuators, communication buses, and custom peripherals
Develop high-reliability firmware using
Rust (Embassy) and C , optimized for tight timing budgets
Build DMA-based and interrupt-driven interfaces for high-rate data pipelines
Motor Control & Real-Time Systems
Implement and tune real-time control loops (position, torque, impedance, velocity)
Develop high-frequency motor control firmware (100 Hz — 5 kHz loops)
Integrate motor drivers, current sensors, and high-bandwidth servo feedback
Sensor Bringup & Integration
Integrate and calibrate:
Force & tactile sensors
Multi-axis IMUs
Encoders (magnetic, optical, and high-resolution absolute encoders)
Build sensor fusion pipelines optimized for low latency and noise robustness
System Infrastructure & Safety
Develop robust real-time safety systems: watchdogs, brownout detection, error monitors
Implement fail-safe behaviors and safety interlocks for robotic manipulation
Build bootloader/OTA systems for distributed firmware updates
Hardware-Software Integration
Validate new PCB revisions with bringup tests and driver diagnostics
Work closely with mechanical/electrical teams to characterize hardware performance
Collaborate with AI/control teams to optimize firmware performance for higher-level policies
⚡ Requirements
Must-Have
Pursuing a BS/MS in
Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechatronics , or related fields
Strong Rust Embassy and modern C experience
in embedded development
Experience with real-time systems and RTOS-based development (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or bare-metal)
Strong Python skills for test automation, HIL testing, and hardware validation
Hands‑on experience with embedded peripherals:
SPI, I2C, UART, CAN/CAN‑FD, PWM, ADC, DMA
Solid understanding of:
Real‑time control loops
Timing constraints & scheduler design
Interrupt latency and determinism
Nice-to-Have
Experience with
Linux‑based real‑time controllers
(PREEMPT_RT)
Familiarity with
EtherCAT
or high‑speed robotic communication buses
Experience with motor drivers (BLDC, servo motors), Hall sensors, or current sensing
Exposure to ROS/ROS2, machine learning, or robotic control stack development
Experience building bootloaders, OTA systems, or secure firmware signing
Familiarity with JTAG/SWD debugging, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers
Compensation & Benefits
High‑impact ownership over mission‑critical embedded systems
Work alongside world‑class roboticists, embedded engineers, and AI researchers
Access to cutting‑edge robotics labs, tools, and custom hardware
Competitive salary equity for full‑time roles
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
#J-18808-Ljbffr