Approach Venture LLC
Firmware Engineer - Optical Computing
Approach Venture LLC, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Firmware Engineer - Build the Core Software Behind the Future of Optical Computing!
Gardena, CA (Onsite)
Opportunity Summary
A stealth-mode, venture-backed startup is developing cutting-edge optical computing hardware designed to outperform traditional electronics at scale. With a team of experienced founders and deep-tech engineers, we're building an integrated system from the ground up, hardware, software, and manufacturing, to unlock the next era of high-speed, low-power computation. We're hiring a Firmware Engineer to own the development of embedded software that brings our first product to life. From bootloaders and signal control to link training and diagnostics, this is a role for someone who wants to work close to hardware, solve real-world timing and signal challenges, and ship production-ready systems.
About Us
We are a Los Angeles-based deep-tech startup operating in stealth, combining photonics, custom hardware, and automated manufacturing to develop a novel computing platform. Our team blends backgrounds in high-performance systems, embedded software, and precision hardware engineering. We're scaling fast and building every layer of the stack internally, from silicon to factory floor.
Job Duties Design and implement low-level firmware to manage all aspects of transceiver operation, including signal conditioning, startup routines, and real-time link diagnostics Develop algorithms for link training, automatic eye opening, and adaptive optimization in varying field conditions Build robust initialization sequences, bootloaders, and fault-recovery mechanisms for high-reliability deployment Lead validation and release processes for production firmware, including factory flash procedures and traceability systems Collaborate with hardware teams to define and optimize hardware/software interfaces for power systems, timing, and custom I/O Push the limits of performance and reliability on bare-metal embedded platforms, optimizing every byte and cycle Maintain a clean, scalable codebase with automated test coverage and documented workflows Qualifications
BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field 3+ years of experience developing firmware or embedded systems from first principles Strong background in C/C++ and scripting in Python Hands-on experience developing drivers and control logic for I²C, SPI, ADC, DMA, or similar low-level protocols Solid understanding of embedded architecture, real-time systems, and debugging techniques Ability to reason from first principles and troubleshoot across hardware and software boundaries Strong communication skills and comfort working across functions in a dynamic environment Preferred Experience
Experience reading hardware schematics and defining hardware/software integration boundaries Background in digital signal processing, robotics, or control systems Familiarity with RTOSs, build pipelines, and hardware-in-the-loop testing Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading firmware projects to completion Comfort working with distributed Linux systems and full-stack firmware architecture Security Clearance
Must be able to obtain US Secret clearance. Why Join Us
Build foundational systems at a company redefining what's possible with light Work closely with a technical founding team on complex, high-impact problems Early-stage equity in a venture-backed, high-growth deep tech company Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits Paid parental leave and generous PTO policy Flexible and focused work culture Relocation support to Southern California 401(k) plan and future leadership opportunities
Compensation Details
$120,000 - $200,000
Gardena, CA (Onsite)
Opportunity Summary
A stealth-mode, venture-backed startup is developing cutting-edge optical computing hardware designed to outperform traditional electronics at scale. With a team of experienced founders and deep-tech engineers, we're building an integrated system from the ground up, hardware, software, and manufacturing, to unlock the next era of high-speed, low-power computation. We're hiring a Firmware Engineer to own the development of embedded software that brings our first product to life. From bootloaders and signal control to link training and diagnostics, this is a role for someone who wants to work close to hardware, solve real-world timing and signal challenges, and ship production-ready systems.
About Us
We are a Los Angeles-based deep-tech startup operating in stealth, combining photonics, custom hardware, and automated manufacturing to develop a novel computing platform. Our team blends backgrounds in high-performance systems, embedded software, and precision hardware engineering. We're scaling fast and building every layer of the stack internally, from silicon to factory floor.
Job Duties Design and implement low-level firmware to manage all aspects of transceiver operation, including signal conditioning, startup routines, and real-time link diagnostics Develop algorithms for link training, automatic eye opening, and adaptive optimization in varying field conditions Build robust initialization sequences, bootloaders, and fault-recovery mechanisms for high-reliability deployment Lead validation and release processes for production firmware, including factory flash procedures and traceability systems Collaborate with hardware teams to define and optimize hardware/software interfaces for power systems, timing, and custom I/O Push the limits of performance and reliability on bare-metal embedded platforms, optimizing every byte and cycle Maintain a clean, scalable codebase with automated test coverage and documented workflows Qualifications
BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field 3+ years of experience developing firmware or embedded systems from first principles Strong background in C/C++ and scripting in Python Hands-on experience developing drivers and control logic for I²C, SPI, ADC, DMA, or similar low-level protocols Solid understanding of embedded architecture, real-time systems, and debugging techniques Ability to reason from first principles and troubleshoot across hardware and software boundaries Strong communication skills and comfort working across functions in a dynamic environment Preferred Experience
Experience reading hardware schematics and defining hardware/software integration boundaries Background in digital signal processing, robotics, or control systems Familiarity with RTOSs, build pipelines, and hardware-in-the-loop testing Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading firmware projects to completion Comfort working with distributed Linux systems and full-stack firmware architecture Security Clearance
Must be able to obtain US Secret clearance. Why Join Us
Build foundational systems at a company redefining what's possible with light Work closely with a technical founding team on complex, high-impact problems Early-stage equity in a venture-backed, high-growth deep tech company Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits Paid parental leave and generous PTO policy Flexible and focused work culture Relocation support to Southern California 401(k) plan and future leadership opportunities
Compensation Details
$120,000 - $200,000