Principal Embedded Software Engineer
panthalassaPortland, OR
Full Time
Posted July 7, 2026
$210k - $290k
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Job Description
This role is based in Portland, Oregon.
Key Responsibilities
- Our core technology is the Node, a device that produces energy in the ocean's harshest conditions for years without human maintenance or intervention. The embedded software – device drivers, baremetal firmware, and embedded Linux – is what bridges the gap between hardware and the systems above it: giving the Node the ability to sense, actuate, follow commands from shore, and operate autonomously.
- As Principal Embedded Software Engineer, you'll build the reliable, extensible, well-tested version of that software – the kind other engineers can build on top of without worrying about what's underneath. You'll work elbow-to-elbow with electrical engineers from schematic capture through bring-up, and maintain the architecture and standards behind what the team delivers. This job is multidisciplinary – some days you're probing signals on a bench, others you're deep in Rust, others you're reviewing a teammate's code or helping them through a tricky bring-up. If you think in bits and bytes as naturally as you read schematics and datasheets, and you're happiest when you're close to the hardware, this role is built for you.
- You'll be part of a small team that we expect to grow, and you'll have the opportunity to help shape and mentor it as it does.
- Own the software for our in-house embedded products, and set technical direction on how it's implemented, reviewing designs and code across the team for correctness and reliability.
- Work with electrical engineers from schematic capture through board bring-up – pin assignments, peripheral selection, power and timing budgets.
- Debug the hardware/software failures using schematics, datasheets, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD.
- Ship code that runs unattended for years in a harsh marine environment, with real fault tolerance and safe recovery.
- Shape our OTA and fleet update strategy for a distributed fleet.
- Set testing and CI/CD standards for embedded code – unit tests, hardware-in-the-loop, static analysis, release gating.
- Mentor other embedded engineers through code review and pairing.
- Communicate tradeoffs clearly to EE, mechanical, ops, and leadership.
Requirements
- 10+ years developing production code, most of it in embedded systems.
- Deep experience with a systems programming language such as Rust or C/C++; deep experience with Rust, particularly no_std firmware, is a strong plus.
- Hands-on experience building and maintaining embedded Linux distros with Yocto or Buildroot.
- Track record owning the architecture and implementation of the code stack supporting a hardware product from bring-up through field deployment.
- Fluency with SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, and the debugging skills to chase issues down to the signal.
- Experience designing for resource-constrained, real-time, power-constrained systems built to last years, not weeks.
- Experience designing or hardening OTA update mechanisms for fielded devices.
- Strong software engineering fundamentals – version control workflows, CI/CD pipeline design, automated/unit testing, and code coverage practices for embedded systems.
- A track record of raising the technical bar on a team – as a lead, staff, or principal engineer.
- Clear, empathetic communication across technical and non-technical backgrounds.
- 5+ years with mission-critical or safety-critical systems (aerospace, autonomous vehicles, medical devices, industrial controls).
- Experience with marine, offshore, or other remote/harsh-environment hardware.
- Experience with embedded security – secure boot, encrypted comms, key management.
- Experience building an embedded systems and software from scratch at an early-stage hardware company.
Benefits & Perks
- If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:
- Cash compensation of $210,000 - $290,000
- Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
- A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including: Flexible paid time off Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents) Dental insurance (the company pays 33% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents) Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents) Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled) Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
- Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).
Ready to Apply?
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