Firmware Engineer
About Us
At Phlux, we are revolutionizing industrial robotics with our cutting-edge 3D safety sensors. Our technology empowers safe and efficient human-robot collaboration in dynamic environments, redefining safety across industries. As a rapidly growing startup, we embrace innovation, agility, and a passion for problem-solving.
Your Role
As a Firmware Engineer at Phlux, you will be responsible for designing and developing firmware that processes image data from advanced sensors and controls the safety-critical outputs of our system. You’ll work closely with FPGA engineers to integrate hardware and firmware seamlessly, leveraging real-time data pipelines and functional safety principles. This is a key position where your work will directly impact the performance, reliability, and safety of our cutting-edge robotics solutions.
What You'll Do
- Design and develop firmware for SoC platforms (e.g., Zynq or similar) to process image data from advanced sensors and manage safety-critical outputs.
- Collaborate with FPGA engineers to manage image sensor integration, leveraging shared memory, registers, and I/O pins for real-time data and command exchange.
- Write control algorithms to process real-time image data and manage system safety outputs in compliance with functional safety requirements.
- Optimize firmware for low-latency, high-throughput data pipelines and robust real-time performance.
- Implement safety mechanisms and fail-safes to meet industry standards such as ISO 26262 or IEC 61508.
- Debug and troubleshoot firmware and hardware interaction issues using tools such as JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
- Collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to integrate firmware seamlessly into the overall system.
- Document firmware architecture, design decisions, and testing processes to support reliability, maintainability, and certification readiness.
What We’re Looking For
- Proficiency in C/C++: Strong experience developing embedded firmware, particularly for bare-metal systems or with RTOS.
- Experience with SoC Platforms: Hands-on experience developing firmware for platforms that integrate CPUs and FPGAs (e.g., Zynq, Intel SoC, or similar).
- Real-Time Systems Expertise: Proven ability to develop and optimize firmware for real-time image processing and hardware control.
- Debugging Skills: Proficiency in diagnosing and resolving firmware issues with tools like JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
- Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, articulating technical design decisions clearly.
- BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Familiarity with functional safety, safety-critical design principles, fail-safe mechanisms, and relevant standards (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508).
- Experience with FPGA toolchains like Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, or similar development environments.
- Knowledge of high-speed communication protocols like MIPI, PCIe, or Gigabit Ethernet.
- Familiarity with image sensor technologies and preprocessing techniques.
- Experience writing low-level drivers for peripherals (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART).
- Understanding of network protocols such as UDP or TCP.
- Optimization experience for power efficiency and constrained resources in embedded systems.
- Knowledge of secure coding practices and cybersecurity for embedded firmware.
- Ability to write Python scripts for test automation or interfacing with hardware during development and validation.
What You’ll Love About Working Here
- Innovative Projects: Be part of a team building transformative technologies that redefine robotics safety and enable real-world impact in industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and more.
- Startup Energy, Big Ideas: Experience the excitement and agility of working in a startup, with opportunities to take ownership of meaningful projects and make a direct impact on the company’s success.
- Collaborative Environment: Join a team of passionate engineers and innovators who value open communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
- Professional Growth: Expand your skills and grow your career with access to cutting-edge tools, technologies, and mentorship opportunities.
- Flexibility and Focus: Enjoy a dynamic workplace that values results over rigid processes, giving you the freedom to experiment and innovate.
- Mission-Driven Culture: Contribute to a vision that is reshaping the future of robotics and empowering safer, smarter human-robot collaboration.
Benefits
- Competitive Salaries + Stock Options
- Paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible work schedule