Founder-in-Residence at Embedding VC | Palo Alto, CA

About ALSO.At ALSO, an innovative electric mobility company conceived by Rivian, we are dedicated to transforming transportation. Our dynamic team of creators, visionaries, and problem-solvers is committed to developing revolutionary, vertically integrated small electric vehicles that address the global mobility challenges of today and the future. Our mission? To inspire everyone to choose ALSO, replacing countless local car and truck journeys with our more affordable, enjoyable, and highly efficient vehicles—10 to 50 times more efficient, in fact.As a Senior Validation & Tools Engineer specializing in Embedded Firmware and Software validation, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of our flagship and cutting-edge products. This hands-on position will involve testing firmware and software, automating these processes, integrating hardware, and validating systems end-to-end. Collaborating closely with various cross-functional teams, you will help build out HIL infrastructure and test automation in our fast-paced, early-phase engineering startup.

Join the Revolution at ALSO.At ALSO, we are pioneers in the electric mobility space, initially conceptualized within Rivian. Our dedicated team comprises builders, innovators, and forward-thinkers committed to crafting revolutionary, vertically integrated small electric vehicles (EVs) that address the pressing mobility challenges of our time. Our goal is to motivate individuals to embrace the ALSO ride experience—transforming local car, truck, and SUV journeys into more affordable, enjoyable, and 10-50x efficient rides.As a Senior Embedded Validation & Tools Engineer - Audio & Wireless, you will take ownership of validating Bluetooth/BLE, Wi-Fi, and audio subsystems for our smart helmet technology. Your role will involve designing and implementing test plans to ensure exceptional audio quality (both voice and media), dependable wireless connectivity, seamless app integration, and an outstanding user experience within the helmet environment—spanning firmware, mobile applications, and cloud services. This position combines hands-on hardware and acoustic testing with automation, debugging, and collaborative efforts across firmware, RF, DSP, and mobile teams.Your ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute validation strategies for Bluetooth Classic and BLE profiles (A2DP, AVRCP, HFP/HSP, BLE GATT), Wi-Fi streaming, and cross-stack interactions.Assess media streaming quality including audio codecs, buffering, latency, jitter, and packet loss recovery across multi-stream and simultaneous voice/media scenarios.Test and optimize audio processing features such as echo cancellation (AEC), noise reduction/suppression (NR), beamforming, automatic gain control (AGC), and tailored ANC features for helmet acoustics.Evaluate headset/headphone functionalities including microphone routing, sidetone, voice call quality (MOS scores), wind noise mitigation, and ergonomic factors that influence audio performance.Create and implement automated testing frameworks for firmware and mobile application integration (Android/iOS), covering provisioning, reconnections, firmware updates, and feature compatibility across platforms.Design and maintain hardware test environments including HIL rigs, device farms, head & torso simulators (HATS), RF chambers, audio analyzers, and network emulators.Utilize RF and protocol sniffers (Ellisys/Frontline, Nordic/BlueZ tools) and networking tools to troubleshoot Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity, interference, and throughput issues.

About ALSO.At ALSO, we are revolutionizing the future of electric mobility. Initially a part of Rivian, our dedicated team of innovators is focused on designing cutting-edge, vertically integrated small electric vehicles (EVs) that tackle today's global mobility challenges. Our vision is to inspire a shift towards more affordable, enjoyable, and 10-50 times more efficient transportation solutions.As an Embedded Validation & Tools Engineer specializing in OTA, you will play a key role in ensuring the operational readiness and reliability of firmware and software updates across our fleet of embedded devices. Your responsibilities will include designing and executing validation test programs that guarantee OTA updates are secure, robust, and reliable in real-world scenarios, including handling network interruptions, power failures, device restarts, and critical edge cases. You will collaborate closely with Firmware, Release, QA, and Cloud teams to ensure seamless communication from release to fleet health.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute comprehensive OTA validation plans across various device families and release types (full OS images, firmware updates, bootloader updates, A/B updates, and delta/patch updates).Build, manage, and scale automated test environments (including hardware-in-the-loop, virtual devices, and emulators) to conduct regression, integration, and stress tests for OTA processes.Automate end-to-end OTA pipelines (from build artifact signing and staging to rollout and post-update verification) using Python, shell scripting, and CI tools.Validate update mechanisms and components: bootloader, update agent, package formats, rollbacks, A/B partitions, and recovery modes.Test update resilience under challenging conditions, including intermittent networks (cellular/Wi-Fi), high latency, power interruptions, low battery scenarios, storage limitations, and corrupted images.Ensure security compliance through the validation of signing/verification processes, secure transport (TLS), secure boot, key management, and assessment of vulnerabilities introduced by update components.Define and track metrics and KPIs (success rate, rollback rate, mean time to recover, time-to-update); instrument devices and cloud backends to measure rollout health, and generate release readiness reports.Conduct root cause analysis on update failures, reproduce field issues, and facilitate remediation with firmware and backend engineering teams.

About ALSO.At ALSO, we are pioneers in electric mobility, initially founded as part of Rivian. Our dedicated team of innovators and builders is committed to designing groundbreaking, vertically integrated small electric vehicles (EVs) that tackle the mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our vision is to encourage everyone to experience the joy of riding an ALSO vehicle—effectively replacing traditional car, truck, and SUV journeys with more affordable, enjoyable, and exceptionally efficient rides.The RoleWe are in search of a highly skilled and enthusiastic Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer specializing in Audio technologies. You will take charge of enhancing the connectivity and audio experience in our next-generation products, playing a pivotal role within our vibrant engineering team. This position focuses on developing advanced embedded software and firmware that drives our innovative hardware solutions.As the end-to-end owner of a critical Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and audio module, your responsibilities will encompass the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept and architectural design to comprehensive development, rigorous testing, and support after launch.Key Responsibilities:Technical Leadership & Development:Lead the architectural design, development, and thorough testing of embedded firmware for a state-of-the-art IoT connectivity module.Oversee the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), from requirements gathering and design through coding, debugging, and validation.Advocate for and implement best practices in embedded software development, including code reviews, robust version control, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).Provide proactive technical leadership and strategic direction for all embedded firmware development initiatives.Stay abreast of and incorporate emerging technologies and industry trends in embedded systems and IoT connectivity.Cross-Functional Collaboration & Delivery:Work collaboratively with internal electrical engineering, embedded software, mobile, cloud connectivity, and IT teams to ensure comprehensive system functionality and performance.

About ALSO.At ALSO, we are redefining electric mobility. Originally a part of Rivian, our passionate team comprises builders, dreamers, and innovators dedicated to creating groundbreaking, vertically integrated small electric vehicles (EVs) that address today's and tomorrow's global mobility challenges. Our vision is to inspire individuals to choose ALSO, transforming local car, truck, and SUV journeys into experiences on vehicles that are more affordable, enjoyable, and 10-50 times more efficient.As a Senior Validation & Tools Engineer specializing in web and cloud validation, your role will be pivotal in ensuring exceptional quality across our interconnected e-mobility platform. You will oversee everything from the initial customer interaction during purchase to the cloud systems that drive our vehicles. Your responsibilities will include designing and executing both manual and automated tests for web applications, APIs, and cloud integrations, as well as validating data telemetry and end-to-end connectivity. Collaborating closely with developers, data analysts, and product teams, you will enhance the reliability of every release and promote automation and monitoring to accelerate validation processes.This highly collaborative role requires the ability to seamlessly transition between web and IoT domains. You should enjoy converting complex testing protocols into scalable frameworks and dashboards while possessing the independence and initiative to drive projects and ensure successful implementations.

Join ridealso as a Senior Validation & Tools Engineer in our dynamic DevOps team, where innovation meets excellence. In this pivotal role, you will leverage your expertise to enhance our validation processes and develop cutting-edge tools that drive our operations forward. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the highest quality standards while embracing the fast-paced nature of DevOps.

About 1X1X is an innovative AI and robotics firm located in the heart of Palo Alto, California. Our mission is to create a prosperous future through the deployment of versatile robots capable of autonomously handling diverse tasks.We are committed to the belief that true intelligence and understanding of the world come from humanoid robots coexisting and learning with humans. Therefore, we are dedicated to designing friendly home robots that integrate effortlessly into daily life.We seek inquisitive, motivated, and passionate individuals who are eager to help redefine the landscape of robotics and AI. If you resonate with our mission, we would love to connect and discuss how you can contribute to our exciting journey.Role OverviewWe are on the lookout for an Embedded Firmware Engineer specializing in developing and maintaining the low-level firmware that powers actuator and motor drive electronics. Your focus will be on creating robust, maintainable, and well-structured embedded software that facilitates motor control, sensing, safety, and system integration.In this role, you will collaborate closely with motor control, electrical, and testing engineers to ensure that the firmware effectively bridges hardware capabilities with higher-level system requirements.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign, develop, and maintain embedded firmware for motor drives and actuator controllers.Implement hardware abstraction layers, drivers, and real-time systems.Assist in integrating motor control algorithms developed by control engineers.Work closely with electrical engineers during hardware bring-up and debugging processes.Develop and implement safety mechanisms, fault handling, and diagnostic features.Support testing and validation efforts through logging and debugging functionalities.Enhance firmware efficiency, structure, readability, and long-term maintainability.Document firmware architecture, interfaces, and underlying assumptions.

Join Array Labs in revolutionizing radar technology to enhance humanity’s understanding of our dynamic planet.We are on a mission to deploy a sophisticated fleet of radar satellites, creating a real-time, high-resolution 3D map of Earth. This technology will empower government and commercial entities to make informed decisions in disaster response, infrastructure resilience, and critical geopolitical intelligence.At Array Labs, we take pride in designing and manufacturing our satellites from the ground up, providing unmatched accuracy, coverage, and responsiveness, ensuring that critical insights are delivered precisely when needed.As an Embedded Software Engineer, you will be at the forefront of innovation, developing firmware, FPGA logic, and embedded software that power our radar payloads and on-orbit processing systems. Your responsibilities will include writing and maintaining C/C++ firmware for Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC devices, designing FPGA modules for high-throughput sensing and data movement, and constructing Linux-based embedded systems utilizing PetaLinux and Yocto. Collaboration with digital, RF, signal processing, and systems engineers will be essential in delivering reliable, high-performance embedded solutions. The architectures you create will have a direct impact on radar timing, data integrity, processing throughput, and system reliability in orbit.Be part of our rapidly expanding engineering team and contribute to the creation of the world's most advanced radar satellite constellation, enhancing our collective ability to respond to the changing realities of our planet.

Pivotal stands at the forefront of the innovative electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft market, specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of lightweight eVTOL aircraft. We are particularly recognized for our flagship model, the BlackFly, which has made history as the world's first light eVTOL to successfully conduct manned missions and enter the consumer market.Our aircraft are designed to be efficient, compact, and user-friendly, catering to a diverse array of applications in consumer markets, public services, and defense sectors. With over a decade of successful flight history, our unique tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have set a new standard in aviation. In the past year, we unveiled our next-generation model, the Helix, which is on track for general release and scalable production by early 2026.As mobility continues to evolve as one of the most sought-after sectors in modern technology investments, Pivotal is strategically positioned to lead in this dynamic landscape. We invite adventurous and innovative individuals to join our exceptional team and grow alongside us.In your role within the Firmware Engineering team, you will play a pivotal part in the development and maintenance of manufacturing test systems for our eVTOL aircraft.

About VoltaiVoltai is at the forefront of developing sophisticated models and agents that enable learning, evaluation, planning, experimentation, and interaction with the physical world. Our initial focus is on understanding and constructing hardware, including electronic systems and semiconductors where artificial intelligence can surpass human cognitive capabilities.About the TeamSupported by premier Silicon Valley investors, Stanford University, and industry leaders such as CEOs and Presidents from Google, AMD, Broadcom, and Marvell, our team comprises former Stanford professors, SAIL researchers, Olympiad medalists, and top executives from Synopsys, GlobalFoundries, and Cadence, alongside distinguished former government officials.About this RoleAs a Firmware Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing firmware that connects AI-driven hardware with physical devices. Your work will encompass system bring-up, control, and diagnostics, facilitating adaptive and self-optimizing behavior in real-time systems. Collaborate with electrical, systems, and verification engineers to create embedded software that powers intelligent machines.

At PsiQuantum, we are on a groundbreaking mission to create the first truly functional quantum computers—systems capable of achieving the remarkable advancements that have long been anticipated in the field. Since our inception in 2016, we have dedicated ourselves to constructing and deploying million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. Quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to tackle challenges that even the most sophisticated supercomputers or AI cannot address. Their transformative potential will influence various sectors, including energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and more. Our architecture is built on silicon photonics, utilizing advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes in collaboration with partners like GlobalFoundries. This approach allows us to harness the high-volume production techniques that currently yield billions of chips for telecommunications and consumer electronics. Photonics provides innate advantages in scalability: photons resist heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and seamlessly integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic systems. In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-backed initiatives to establish our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These projects underscore the increasing acknowledgment of quantum computing as a pivotal force for strategic and economic advancement—now is the time for expansion. Additionally, PsiQuantum is committed to developing the necessary algorithms and software to bring commercial value to these systems. Our application, software, and industry teams collaborate directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for impactful real-world applications. Quantum computing is not merely an extension of classical computing; it signifies a fundamental transformation—a pathway to overcoming challenges that cannot be solved through any other means. The possibilities are vast, and we have a clear strategy to realize this potential. Join us on this exciting journey!

Join the Team at ALSO!At ALSO, we are revolutionizing electric mobility. Originally part of Rivian, we are a dynamic team of innovators dedicated to designing cutting-edge, vertically integrated small electric vehicles (EVs). Our mission is to transform local transportation by providing affordable and enjoyable alternatives, enhancing efficiency by 10 to 50 times. We invite you to be part of this exciting journey and inspire others to ride ALSO.Your Role:Develop firmware for critical hardware validation, board bring-up, and HMI features, including GUIs, lighting, and hand controls.Collaborate with hardware, UX, cloud, manufacturing, and firmware teams to ensure comprehensive development from concept to completion.Design and implement robust features and tests to ensure mission-critical performance.Optimize firmware for low-power operation to extend battery life and enhance energy efficiency.Incorporate advanced security measures to protect devices, ensuring data integrity and robust encryption protocols.Establish a robust CI/CD pipeline and promote best practices to enhance team performance through automation.Work closely with QA teams to monitor and debug issues using metrics.Effectively engage with third-party firms by delivering clear specifications and managing project execution.Willingness to travel 1-2 weeks annually.

About the Role Alten Technology USA is hiring a Lead Verification & Validation Engineer in Palo Alto, California. This position oversees verification and validation activities for technology products, focusing on quality and reliability throughout the development process. What You Will Do Lead verification and validation efforts for product releases Establish and maintain quality standards across engineering teams Ensure products meet reliability and performance requirements Location Palo Alto, California

About 1X1X is a pioneering AI and robotics firm located in Palo Alto, California, dedicated to creating a future where general-purpose robots can operate autonomously across a variety of tasks, thereby contributing to a more abundant society.Our vision is rooted in the belief that humanoid robots must coexist and learn alongside humans to truly comprehend and adapt to the world. We are committed to developing user-friendly home robots that blend effortlessly into daily life.We seek innovative, passionate individuals eager to influence the trajectory of robotics and AI. If you share our enthusiasm for this mission, we invite you to connect with us and discuss how you can be a part of our transformative journey.Role OverviewWe are in search of a Test & Validation Engineer who will take charge of characterizing, testing, and validating electric motors and robotic actuators. In this pivotal role, you will design and manage test setups, generate high-quality data, and collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, and controls engineers to ensure optimal actuator performance, reliability, and robustness.Your contributions will be essential in transforming prototypes into validated systems by establishing repeatable tests, identifying edge cases, and offering constructive feedback to design teams. This position operates at the intersection of hardware, software, and data, and includes collaboration with other test engineers across various teams and on a robot system level.ResponsibilitiesDesign, operate, and maintain advanced test setups for motors and actuators, including dynamometers and bespoke test rigs.Develop and implement comprehensive test plans focusing on performance, efficiency, thermal characteristics, and durability.Characterize motors and actuators over varied operational envelopes.Automate testing processes and data collection whenever feasible.Analyze test results and communicate insights effectively to engineering teams.Assist in hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, and failure analysis.Work in tandem with control and firmware engineers to validate control performance.Participate in regression testing for hardware and firmware modifications.Document testing protocols, findings, and lessons learned.

PsiQuantum is hiring a Senior Manager of Quantum Model Validation. This role leads a team responsible for validating the quantum models that support the company's technology. The position is open to candidates in Palo Alto, California, or those who prefer to work remotely. Key responsibilities Direct the assessment of quantum models, focusing on their accuracy and reliability Lead and mentor a team of subject matter experts in quantum model validation Collaborate with teams across PsiQuantum to support and strengthen quantum computing systems Play a role in advancing the company's quantum technology Team leadership This position involves guiding a group of experts and working with colleagues throughout the company to ensure high standards in quantum model validation. The work directly supports PsiQuantum's mission to develop advanced quantum computing systems.

About ALSO.At ALSO, we are pioneers in electric mobility, having evolved from our origins with Rivian. Our dynamic team comprises builders, visionaries, and innovators dedicated to developing groundbreaking vertically integrated small electric vehicles (EVs) that address the pressing mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our goal is to inspire people to choose ALSO, effectively reducing local car, truck, and SUV usage with vehicles that are not only more affordable but also offer a significantly enhanced and efficient experience—10 to 50 times more efficient, to be precise.As the Firmware Integration Lead for our cutting-edge autonomous vehicle initiative, you will take charge of firmware integration for our commercial delivery partnership program. This pivotal role requires you to oversee vehicle-level firmware integration, as well as define and establish a novel, high-performance Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) architecture tailored to our unique EV platform. You will collaborate closely with firmware engineers across various platform teams to ensure alignment in module development, integration, validation, and timely releases necessary for vehicle production and launch.As the lead for firmware integration across a diverse array of electronic control units (ECUs) and compute domains, you will guide technical decisions at the vehicle level, ensuring seamless collaboration of pod-level firmware efforts within the overall system. This is a hands-on technical leadership position ideal for someone who excels in architecture, debugging, strategic planning, and cross-functional execution.Your ResponsibilitiesServe as the primary point of contact for vehicle-level firmware integration within the autonomous vehicle program.Lead the definition, development, and maturation of a new high-compute VCU architecture distinct from existing vehicle platforms.Collaborate closely with firmware engineers in platform pods to harmonize development priorities, integration objectives, and delivery timelines.Drive integration planning for sprints and milestones, focusing on feature readiness, merge strategies, release coordination, and stakeholder communication.Manage end-to-end system integration across distributed ECUs, ensuring proper interface definitions, handshaking, startup sequencing, power management, diagnostics, and fault handling.Contribute directly to firmware and interface development as needed, particularly in areas that facilitate system integration and vehicle readiness.Engage cross-functionally with Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Test, Validation, Autonomy, and Program teams to define interfaces, troubleshoot issues, and rapidly address gaps.

Woven by Toyota is at the forefront of Toyota’s monumental transition into a comprehensive mobility company. With a commitment to innovation that prioritizes human experience, our mission is to redefine mobility, making it more accessible and beneficial to society.Our initiatives are anchored in four core pillars: Autonomous Driving / Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (AD/ADAS), Arene (our software development platform for software-defined vehicles), Woven City (a cutting-edge test environment for mobility), and Cloud & AI (the digital backbone of our collaborative efforts). Together, these critical functions propel us towards a visionary objective: achieving zero accidents and enhancing the well-being of everyone.Within the AD/ADAS division, Woven by Toyota is pioneering a scalable, data-centric methodology for autonomous and assisted driving. Our Verification and Validation Team is tasked with crafting strategic testing methodologies and executing them globally for Toyota’s Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) programs. Our team comprises testing professionals who design, conduct, and refine testing protocols across simulation, closed-course, and real-world environments. The data and insights we gather are crucial for expediting vehicle development and delivering production-ready solutions, leveraging the latest in research and development.

About xAIAt xAI, we are dedicated to developing artificial intelligence systems that can profoundly comprehend the universe and support humanity's quest for knowledge. Our dynamic team is small yet highly driven, committed to engineering excellence. We seek individuals who are eager to challenge themselves and thrive on curiosity. With a flat organizational structure, every team member plays an essential role in contributing to our mission. We value initiative, consistent excellence, strong work ethic, and effective prioritization skills. Additionally, strong communication skills are paramount, as team members must share knowledge concisely and accurately with one another.About the RoleThe xAI Tooling team, also known as Starfleet, is in search of a backend engineer who will play a critical role in designing, developing, and maintaining robust and scalable backend systems. These systems will empower our researchers, engineers, and product teams to build, experiment with, and deploy cutting-edge AI models and applications more efficiently. You will take ownership of high-impact tooling projects, including internal APIs, data pipelines, orchestration layers, and tooling platforms that enhance workflows for training, inference, evaluation, and deployment. If you are passionate about creating foundational tools that accelerate the development of the world's most powerful AI systems, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact at the forefront of AI innovation.

Join our dynamic team at Artech Information Systems LLC as a Senior C++/Embedded Developer. In this pivotal role, you will leverage your expertise in C++ programming and embedded systems to develop innovative solutions that drive our projects forward. You will collaborate with a talented group of engineers, contributing to cutting-edge technology that makes a significant impact.