Senior Embedded Software Engineer — Concepts Group

Proper Voltage is unlocking the next generation of battery technology across robotics, data centers, and defense. They are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join their Concepts Group, responsible for rapidly building minimum viable implementations of product concepts to assess feasibility for full product development.

Responsibilities:

• Receive product concepts and technical challenges from engineering management and rapidly translate them into scoped, time-boxed firmware prototyping efforts
• Build minimum viable firmware implementations on STM32 platforms (Cortex-M33/M4) to validate feasibility of new BMS architectures, cell chemistries, protection strategies, and communication topologies
• Stand up functional firmware quickly on new or unfamiliar hardware—bring up peripherals, verify signal chains, and get to meaningful data collection in days, not weeks
• Prototype and evaluate fuel gauging approaches (Kalman filters, coulomb counting, hybrid methods) across different battery chemistries to assess viability before committing to production implementation
• Rapidly implement and test cell balancing strategies, protection algorithms, and fault detection logic to evaluate trade-offs in accuracy, complexity, and cost
• Develop quick-turn communication interfaces (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet) to integrate prototype BMS modules with existing systems or test rigs
• Interface with analog front ends, isolated amplifiers, current sense circuits, and DAQ hardware to validate measurement architectures on prototype builds
• Produce concise, actionable technical assessments—documenting what works, what doesn’t, key risks, and a recommended path forward for the product development team
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to quickly evaluate new component choices, alternate topologies, and cost-reduction opportunities at the firmware level
• Build throwaway tooling, test scripts, and data logging utilities as needed to support rapid evaluation cycles
• Maintain a library of reusable firmware building blocks (drivers, protocol stacks, algorithms) that accelerate future concept evaluations
• Exercise a high degree of autonomy, take ownership, and contribute as a key individual to project milestones and objectives

Requirements:

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 6+ years of experience developing embedded firmware, with a demonstrated ability to move fast and deliver working prototypes under tight timelines
• Deep proficiency with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers (STM32 strongly preferred), including the ability to bring up new hardware from scratch with minimal documentation or support
• Broad peripheral experience: ADC, DMA, timers, SPI, I2C, UART, CAN—comfortable picking up unfamiliar peripherals and getting them running quickly
• Strong experience with RTOS-based firmware (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or equivalent) and the judgment to know when bare-metal is the faster path for a prototype
• Proficiency in C for embedded systems; working knowledge of C++ and/or Rust for embedded applications
• Solid understanding of analog signal chains, ADC calibration, filtering, and precision measurement—enough to evaluate whether a prototype's data is trustworthy
• Hands-on experience with CAN bus implementation and at least passing familiarity with multiple communication protocols
• Strong understanding of power electronics fundamentals as they relate to firmware control (gate drive timing, protection sequencing, current limiting)
• Proficiency with embedded debugging tools (JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers)
• Excellent engineering judgment: the ability to distinguish between prototype-acceptable compromises and shortcuts that invalidate results
• Strong written and verbal communication skills—must be able to distill prototype findings into clear go/no-go recommendations for leadership
• Self-directed and comfortable operating with ambiguous requirements and short timelines
• Direct experience with battery management system firmware, including cell balancing, fuel gauging, and pack protection
• Experience with multiple battery chemistries (lithium-ion, sodium-ion, lithium-titanate, LiFePO4) and an understanding of how chemistry differences affect firmware requirements
• Exposure to functional safety concepts (IEC 61508, ISO 26262) and safety-critical firmware design patterns
• Knowledge of compliance standards for battery systems (UL 1973, UL 9540, IEC 62619)
• Experience with digital control loops for power converter regulation
• Track record of working in a skunkworks, R&D, or rapid prototyping environment