The Mill
Senior Firmware Engineer San Bruno, California
The Mill, San Bruno, California, United States, 94066
Mill is all about answering a simple question: how can we prevent waste? Less waste can save time, money, energy, maybe even our planet. And there’s no better place to start than food. Food waste is one of the most solvable climate problems facing us today. Plus, our trash really stinks. It’s gross, heavy, and our least favorite chore. At Mill we are striving to build a better environment for all, as we take on climate and kitchen change.
We're seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to design, develop, and implement low-level firmware for our next-generation connected product. You'll work closely with cloud services, mobile app, product and hardware teams to integrate Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and other connectivity features seamlessly, while actively collaborating and contributing as a key team player.
Key Responsibilities
Design and implement robust firmware on MCU platforms, ensuring support for wireless connectivity, data upload, OTA updates, sensor integration, and other core functionalities.
Develop and optimize communication stacks for Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and other wireless protocols, ensuring reliable pairing, network configuration, and data exchange.
Write efficient low-level code that integrates with hardware peripherals (e.g., RF modules, sensors) using standard interfaces such as GPIO, I2C, SPI, and UART.
Apply best practices for error handling and performance optimization to support robust connectivity features.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to rigorously debug, test, and troubleshoot firmware, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security.
Engage actively with multidisciplinary teams, sharing insights and aligning on system‑level requirements to drive cohesive project success.
Contribute to the deployment readiness of our systems for large‑scale production.
Evaluate code from peers to maintain best practices in style, accuracy, and efficiency.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience, with 5+ years in embedded systems development.
Deep understanding of computer networking and firmware for data‑intensive applications.
Strong expertise in C programming for embedded systems, with a solid grasp of memory management and real‑time operating system principles.
Hands‑on experience with connectivity modules (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth) and RTOS (FreeRTOS preferred).
Proficiency in hardware‑software interfacing, including protocols like GPIO, I2C, SPI, and JTAG.
Proficiency with troubleshooting tools (debuggers, Wireshark) and measurement equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
Demonstrated expertise in debugging and rigorous testing to quickly identify and resolve complex issues.
Familiarity with version control, CI, and build systems.
Preferred Skills
Experience with ESP32 microcontrollers.
Working knowledge of cloud computing protocols (e.g., MQTT) and platforms like AWS (AWS CDK is a plus).
Experience with cellular connectivity.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.
The estimated base salary range for this position is $180k to $225k, which does not include the value of benefits or a potential equity grant. A wide range of factors are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, market conditions, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and business and organizational needs.
Location Requirement: The role requires a minimum of 3 days a week in office.
Voluntary Self‑Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.
As set forth in Mill’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Why are you being asked to complete this form? We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.
Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.
How do you know if you have a disability? A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:
Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury
PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.
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We're seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to design, develop, and implement low-level firmware for our next-generation connected product. You'll work closely with cloud services, mobile app, product and hardware teams to integrate Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and other connectivity features seamlessly, while actively collaborating and contributing as a key team player.
Key Responsibilities
Design and implement robust firmware on MCU platforms, ensuring support for wireless connectivity, data upload, OTA updates, sensor integration, and other core functionalities.
Develop and optimize communication stacks for Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and other wireless protocols, ensuring reliable pairing, network configuration, and data exchange.
Write efficient low-level code that integrates with hardware peripherals (e.g., RF modules, sensors) using standard interfaces such as GPIO, I2C, SPI, and UART.
Apply best practices for error handling and performance optimization to support robust connectivity features.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to rigorously debug, test, and troubleshoot firmware, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security.
Engage actively with multidisciplinary teams, sharing insights and aligning on system‑level requirements to drive cohesive project success.
Contribute to the deployment readiness of our systems for large‑scale production.
Evaluate code from peers to maintain best practices in style, accuracy, and efficiency.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience, with 5+ years in embedded systems development.
Deep understanding of computer networking and firmware for data‑intensive applications.
Strong expertise in C programming for embedded systems, with a solid grasp of memory management and real‑time operating system principles.
Hands‑on experience with connectivity modules (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth) and RTOS (FreeRTOS preferred).
Proficiency in hardware‑software interfacing, including protocols like GPIO, I2C, SPI, and JTAG.
Proficiency with troubleshooting tools (debuggers, Wireshark) and measurement equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).
Demonstrated expertise in debugging and rigorous testing to quickly identify and resolve complex issues.
Familiarity with version control, CI, and build systems.
Preferred Skills
Experience with ESP32 microcontrollers.
Working knowledge of cloud computing protocols (e.g., MQTT) and platforms like AWS (AWS CDK is a plus).
Experience with cellular connectivity.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.
The estimated base salary range for this position is $180k to $225k, which does not include the value of benefits or a potential equity grant. A wide range of factors are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, market conditions, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and business and organizational needs.
Location Requirement: The role requires a minimum of 3 days a week in office.
Voluntary Self‑Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.
As set forth in Mill’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Why are you being asked to complete this form? We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.
Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.
How do you know if you have a disability? A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:
Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury
PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.
#J-18808-Ljbffr