Embedded & Automation Engineer

View all jobsEmbedded & Automation EngineerSan Diego, CA • RemoteEngineeringRemote • HybridFull-timeWho We AreFirestorm is building the next generation of uncrewed aircraft and the advanced manufacturing systems that deliver them at speed. The Software Integration & Operations department owns the software layer that spans factory floor to cloud - the applications, automation, edge systems, and intelligence that make it possible to iterate product designs, automate advanced manufacturing, and scale production with uncompromising quality and rigor. This team will own everything that runs on the factory floor below the application layer: real-time control software, cobot integration, bring-up automation, test fixtures, and the hardware abstraction layer that lets factory systems speak to our cloud platform. As an Embedded & Automation Engineer, you will build the software that turns a physical manufacturing cell into an intelligent, automated, data-producing system. You will integrate cobots, design and operate hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test infrastructure, build bring-up and flashing tools, and own the hardware abstraction layer that the rest of the platform depends on. This role lives at the software/hardware boundary and demands fluency in both, you will need to excel in rapid-development and hardening for scale and safety. What You'll Do Design and implement embedded and real-time software for manufacturing cell automation - cobot integration, fixture control, bring-up sequences, and data acquisition. Build and operate SIL / HIL / VIL infrastructure for automated validation of hardware and software integration. Own the edge agent and hardware abstraction layer that interfaces between factory equipment and the cloud platform. Develop firmware-adjacent tooling for bring-up and flashing of production hardware, including factory flashing stations. Partner with manufacturing engineering and hardware teams to define the automation strategy for each manufacturing cell. Drive integration of robotics middleware (ROS 2 or equivalent) with industrial cobots such as UR, Fanuc, or ABB. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)  U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations 5+ years of embedded, real-time, or robotics software engineering experience. Strong proficiency in C / C++ and Python; comfortable at the software / hardware boundary. Hands-on experience with industrial cobots or robotic systems (UR, Fanuc, ABB, or similar) and motion control. Experience building or operating HIL / SIL test infrastructure for hardware-connected software. Fluency with Linux-based embedded systems, real-time operating systems, or equivalent. Demonstrated history of holding yourself and your teammates to a high standard, even when it creates discomfort. Preferred Qualifications 10+ years of embedded, real-time, or robotics software engineering experience. Demonstrated ability to influence across engineering without formal authority: design reviews, technical decisions, and cross-team alignment. Background in manufacturing automation or industrial robotics deployments. Experience with ROS 2 or equivalent robotics middleware. Prior experience with firmware bring-up and hardware flashing tooling. Aerospace, defense, or regulated-manufacturing experience. Work EnvironmentRemote (U.S.) with the option to be based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA. We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically for testing and demonstrations CompensationUS Salary Range: $140,000 - $230,000 USD The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business...