Firmware Engineer

Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. As the founding firmware engineer, you will architect and implement the embedded software that controls next-generation hardware, collaborating closely with hardware and product design teams to create a seamless customer experience.

Responsibilities:

• Develop embedded firmware for microcontrollers (C/C++ or Rust)
• Own communication interfaces, device management, diagnostics, and OTA update systems
• Work with hardware on power management, timing control, and system-level reliability
• Build early prototypes and test harnesses for internal R&D
• Establish coding standards, architecture patterns, and long-term firmware strategy
• Collaborate on cloud/app connectivity (BLE, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread, Matter)

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree is required
• 5-8+ years of experience building firmware for consumer or IoT products
• Deep experience with microcontrollers (ARM Cortex, ESP32, STM32, Nordic, etc.)
• Strong grasp of real-time systems, power optimization, and embedded signal processing
• You enjoy working at the intersection of hardware and software
• You thrive in early-stage environments with fast cycles and high ownership
• Experience with high-voltage control electronics, smart film/EC systems, lighting, or motor control
• Cloud-to-firmware integration (OTA, remote diagnostics, provisioning)
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and handle a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a diverse array of contacts
• You must be a world-class individual contributor to thrive at Toptal. You will not be here just to tell other people what to do