What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Firmware Engineer position at Approach Venture?
Senior Firmware Engineer – Help Build the Future of Optical and Embedded Systems!
Gardena, CA | Onsite
Opportunity Summary
A well-funded, stealth-stage deep tech company is developing groundbreaking hardware that merges photonics, advanced computing, and embedded systems to transform the way data moves at scale. The team includes top engineers and scientists from elite research institutions and leading aerospace, defense, and robotics companies. As the Senior Firmware Engineer, you will architect and develop the software that brings high-performance optical hardware to life. Your work will span everything from system bootloaders and signal calibration to hardware communication, diagnostics, and fault recovery. This is a hands-on role where your firmware will directly enable next-generation hardware used in data, defense, and robotics applications.
About Us
We are a stealth-stage, venture-backed startup building the foundation for the next revolution in computing. By combining photonics with precision hardware and custom firmware, we are unlocking new levels of performance and energy efficiency across modern computing systems. Our team operates at the cutting edge of science and engineering, designing hardware, software, and manufacturing tools entirely in-house. With top-tier backing and a focus on execution, we are scaling up to launch the first large-scale optical hardware production line in North America.
Job Duties
$120,000 - $200,000
Gardena, CA | Onsite
Opportunity Summary
A well-funded, stealth-stage deep tech company is developing groundbreaking hardware that merges photonics, advanced computing, and embedded systems to transform the way data moves at scale. The team includes top engineers and scientists from elite research institutions and leading aerospace, defense, and robotics companies. As the Senior Firmware Engineer, you will architect and develop the software that brings high-performance optical hardware to life. Your work will span everything from system bootloaders and signal calibration to hardware communication, diagnostics, and fault recovery. This is a hands-on role where your firmware will directly enable next-generation hardware used in data, defense, and robotics applications.
About Us
We are a stealth-stage, venture-backed startup building the foundation for the next revolution in computing. By combining photonics with precision hardware and custom firmware, we are unlocking new levels of performance and energy efficiency across modern computing systems. Our team operates at the cutting edge of science and engineering, designing hardware, software, and manufacturing tools entirely in-house. With top-tier backing and a focus on execution, we are scaling up to launch the first large-scale optical hardware production line in North America.
Job Duties
- Develop, test, and deploy firmware for advanced optical or embedded systems
- Collaborate with hardware, manufacturing, and test engineers to define interfaces, timing, and system-level behavior
- Design startup, recovery, and fault-handling systems for high-reliability operation in demanding environments
- Write and optimize firmware in C or C for low-level control, communication, and diagnostics
- Implement and refine algorithms for signal calibration, data recovery, and adaptive performance tuning
- Manage hardware bring-up, driver integration, and power management routines
- Build test automation, debug utilities, and validation frameworks for production and field support
- Analyze and optimize system performance across timing, power, and data throughput parameters
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline
- 5 years of experience developing firmware or embedded systems from scratch
- Proficient in C or C and scripting with Python
- Solid understanding of protocols such as SPI, I²C, UART, and DMA
- Experience with real-time software debugging, hardware bring-up, and low-level driver development
- Strong fundamentals in control systems, signal processing, or hardware-software integration
- Clear communicator who thrives in fast-paced, multidisciplinary teams
- Skilled at reading and reviewing schematics to define firmware-hardware interfaces
- Experience with DSP, control systems, or communication signal processing
- Knowledge of RTOS, build automation, or hardware-in-the-loop testing
- Background in robotics, space systems, or defense hardware
- Prior mentorship or leadership of small technical teams
- Contribute to a company redefining the future of high-performance computing and embedded systems
- Collaborate with a world-class founding team working on frontier technologies
- Join an environment that rewards innovation, creativity, and execution
- Opportunity for rapid professional growth as the company scales
- Strong PTO policy and flexible work structure
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Competitive equity participation
- Relocation assistance to the Los Angeles area
$120,000 - $200,000
Salary : $120,000 - $200,000