Zipline
Senior Firmware Engineer - Motors
$170K–$220K
South San Francisco, California, USA +1 · Senior · Full-time · Posted Jul 20, 2026
- Location
- South San Francisco, California, USA
South San Francisco, California, United States
About the job
Designs, implements, and validates firmware and control systems for Zipline’s propulsion motors, actuators, and motor controllers.
What you'll do
- Design and implement motor and actuator estimators and controllers in C++ for bare-metal ARM microcontrollers.
- Develop peripheral drivers, vehicle simulations, and hardware/software-in-the-loop tests; validate firmware on benches and in flight tests.
- Improve system reliability and fleet performance by developing fault-management strategies and automated monitoring systems.
What they ask for
- Fluency in C/C++ and willingness to write Rust and Python.
- Mastery of nonlinear estimation techniques and classical control theory.
- Experience with mechatronic control systems; hobby projects or professional experience are applicable.
- Experience supporting real-world robotic systems, including handling edge cases and rare events to ensure safety, reliability, and performance.
Nice to have
- Background in electronics design.
Pay
$170,000 - $220,000 USD base salary
Tools
C++, Rust, Python, Matlab, Julia, ARM, RTOS, embedded Linux
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