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# Staff Firmware Engineer - Charger

- **Company:** 1X, LLC
- **Location:** San Carlos, CA, United States
- **Salary:** $200,000 - $280,000
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, C++ (Programming Language), Communications Protocols, Software Debugging, Embedded Software, Fault Tolerance, Firmware, FreeRTOS, Real-Time Operating Systems, Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, WebRTC
- **Published:** November 2, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/staff-firmware-engineer-charger-san-carlos-ca--a0f83eee-576d-42d1-ba37-fdefc71f1b26

## About the Role

Computer Firmware, Robotics, Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Power Management, Embedded Software, Computer Firmware, Communications Architecture, Motor Control Systems, Time Management, * 5+ years of embedded firmware development in C/C++ on real hardware, with direct experience managing interrupts, DMA, and timing-critical execution (7+ years for senior/staff-level positions)

 * * Power conversion fundamentals working understanding of switched-mode power* supply operation: common AC-DC topologies (flyback, LLC, phase-shifted full bridge),* power factor correction stages, transformer isolation, and how firmware-controlled* parameters (switching frequency, duty cycle, phase shift) affect converter behavior
 * Battery charging knowledge: understanding of lithium-ion charge protocols (CC-CV,multi-stage), the relationship between charge rate and cell degradation, and howtemperature and cell age affect charge termination criteria
 * Embedded bus fluency hands-on CAN implementation for charger-to-BMScoordination, plus additional embedded interfaces (SPI, I²C, UART) for communicationwith power controller ICs, monitoring devices, and auxiliary circuits
 * Hardware debug at the firmware boundary experience using oscilloscopes, currentprobes, and power analyzers to diagnose problems that span firmware control behavior,converter waveform quality, and thermal performance, * Domain depth in one or more areas relevant to humanoid robot subsystems: distributed real-time communication bus firmware, switched-mode power conversion and lithium-ion battery charge management, or motor drive and actuator control firmware
 * Experience with safety-critical or fault-tolerant embedded systems; familiarity with safety integrity standards such as IEC 61508 or ISO 26262
 * Familiarity with real-time operating systems (FreeRTOS, SafeRTOS, or similar)
 * Background in robotics, autonomous systems, or complex electromechanical products

## Description

Own the firmware layer across one or more of the robot's core hardware subsystems-ensuring embedded software that is robust, safe, and maintainable across prototype and production platforms. As one of the first companies building general-purpose humanoid robots at scale, firmware quality is non-negotiable: it determines whether the robot operates safely in uncontrolled environments, whether hardware brings up on schedule, and whether the team can move fast as the system grows to 20+ distributed embedded nodes., * Develop and maintain charger firmware controlling AC-DC power conversion stages,including power factor correction and isolated DC-DC conversion topologies

 * Implement charge profile management for multi-series lithium-ion packs: constant-current, constant-voltage, and taper phases with cell-chemistry-appropriate voltage andcurrent limits
 * Architect the charger-to-BMS communication interface over CAN or similar embeddedbus, coordinating charge current requests, pack voltage feedback, temperature limits,and fault signaling between the two subsystems
 * Responsible for the testing, validation, and verification of initial firmware releases toensure functionality, reliability, and performance requirements are met
 * Implement power converter control loops in firmware: voltage regulation, currentregulation, and soft-start sequencing with stability under varying line and load conditions
 * Develop fault detection and protection firmware: input overvoltage/undervoltage, outputovercurrent, overtemperature, ground fault, and loss-of-communication with the BMS,each with defined safe-state transitions, * Deep embedded instincts writingfirmware that is correct under real hardware conditions: interrupt timing, DMA conflicts, communication protocol edge cases, and hardware fault behavior
 * First-principles problem solver diagnosing novel failures at the firmware-hardware boundary using lab tools and reasoning from fundamentals, not just vendor documentation or established patterns
 * Safety-aware by default understanding what "fail safe" means in a physical system and treats protection logic, fault detection, and safe-state transitions as first-class firmware concerns
 * Effective cross-functional partner translating firmware constraints and failure modes clearly to hardware architects, electrical engineers, and systems engineers; supports bring-up without waiting to be directed