Embedded Engineer - Ultra Mobile Vehicle
Cambridge, MA
Research /
Full Time /
On-site
Our mission is to solve the most important and fundamental challenges in AI and Robotics to enable future generations of intelligent machines that will help us all live better lives.
About UMV
Ultra Mobile Vehicle (UMV) is focused on advancing robot mobility to make machines more useful in everyday life. The team combines wheels, dynamic legged systems, and whole-body behavior to reach higher levels of movement capability. Using fast terrain perception, our robots adapt to their environment by rolling over or jumping on obstacles. This research is central to developing robotic systems that move with speed, agility, and versatility.
Role Overview As an Embedded Software Engineer, you will work cross-functionally with a talented team of engineers and researchers to develop advanced robotic systems. Your contributions will directly advance the state of the art in robotics. We operate onsite at our Cambridge, MA office, fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with research and hardware teams to design, develop, test, and maintain embedded software for UMV and other robotic applications
- Develop high-performance algorithms that improve system efficiency, mobility, and adaptability across varied terrains
- Conduct regular code reviews to ensure code quality and reliability
- Work closely with electrical engineers to develop and integrate custom hardware into UMV prototypes and platforms
- Architect, design, and implement software solutions for embedded systems that support fast perception and real-time control
- Partner with multidisciplinary teams to integrate software with sensors and hardware components, ensuring smooth operation in UMV systems
- Produce and maintain clear documentation for software design, interfaces, and system configurations to support ongoing development and future upgrades
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience delivering robust, production-level code
- BS or MS in Computer Science, Robotics, Physics, Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- Proficient in Python and C++17 or later
- Experience or willingness to learn RUST
- Experience implementing/debugging host-side and device-side embedded software with high-rate, low-latency requirements (bare metal and/or RTOS)
- Experience implementing and debugging various types of wired communication (Ethernet, SPI, CAN Bus, etc.)
- Experience with modern software engineering practices (e.g. git, issue tracking, and CI/CD pipelines).
- Strong background in Linux-based platforms and development environments
- Experience with ROS2
- Excellent troubleshooting and debugging skills
- Hands-on experience with robot sensors (IMUs, cameras, etc.).
- Experience as a technical lead, with a track record of mentoring other developers
Bonus
- Comfortable using electrical engineering tools such as schematics, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes for hardware evaluation and rework
- Experience with robotics, control systems, kinematics, machine learning, or physics simulation
- Experience tackling open-ended embedded problems (e.g., bringing up sensors/compute from scratch)
- Proficiency in data processing, logging, and visualization tools
- Expertise in developing test and validation plans for system integration
- Experience with complex system failure analysis in cross-functional teams
- Familiarity with developing Linux kernel modules
- Background in legged locomotion, perception for robot mobility, or hybrid wheel-leg platforms
- Experience working with real-time perception and control for dynamic environments
We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit 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.
