Firmware/ Embedded Engineer
About The Position
QuantumScape is seeking a Firmware/ Embedded Engineer to join their team in developing an integrated PSU+BBU rack power shelf for hyperscale AI data centers. This system manages bidirectional power conversion, real-time battery state management, and seamless mains-to-battery transfer within strict timing constraints. The engineer will be responsible for implementing the real-time control loops that govern power delivery, battery management, and communication with the rack's baseboard management controller. This role is critical in making the system an integrated platform rather than separate components, forming a technical spine of the product in collaboration with the power electronics lead.
Requirements
- 8+ years writing real-time firmware for power converters (not generic embedded systems you must understand digital control loop theory)
- Proficiency with TI C2000 (strongly preferred), Microchip dsPIC, or equivalent power-oriented DSP/MCU platforms
- Deep understanding of digital compensator design: pole-zero placement, loop bandwidth, phase margin, and their impact on transient response and stability
- Hands-on experience with PWM generation, ADC sampling synchronization, and interrupt-driven control loops
- Experience implementing PMBus or I2C-based power management communication protocols
- Track record with at least one power converter product through prototype bringup and validation
- Fluent in C for bare-metal and RTOS environments; comfortable with fixed-point math for real-time control
Nice To Haves
- Prior BMS firmware experience (cell balancing, Soc estimation via EKF or coulomb counting, protection state machines)
- Familiarity with OpenBMC integration and Redfish/IPMI protocols
- Experience with functional safety standards (IEC 61508 or ISO 26262 from automotive)
- Proficiency with hardware-in-the-loop tools (PLECS RT Box, Typhoon HIL, dSPACE)
- Experience with CAN bus, SPI, or UART-based multi-board communication in power systems
- Exposure to OCP power shelf communication and management standards
Responsibilities
- Implement digital compensators for voltage and current regulation loops running at 50-200kHz control rates on a power-oriented DSP/MCU (Tl C2000, Microchip dsPIC, or equivalent)
- Design and implement the bidirectional power flow state machine: mains-powered➔ battery-powered➔mains-restored transitions with zero output disturbance and sub-millisecond transfer time
- Integrate battery charge algorithms (CC-CV profiles, temperature-dependent rate limits, float/maintenance charge modes) developed in collaboration with the battery systems engineer
- Implement PMBus command set for host communication, enabling the rack BMC to monitor and control the shelf (voltage/current telemetry, SoC/SoH reporting, enable/disable, fault status)
- Develop Redfish/IPMI telemetry reporting for integration with hyperscaler fleet management systems
- Design fault detection and protection logic: overcurrent, overvoltage, overtemperature, battery undervoltage, and communication loss - with sub-microsecond hardware-assisted trip paths and firmware- managed recovery sequences
- Build power sequencing and hot-swap control logic for safe insertion/extraction under live bus conditions
- Develop diagnostics, event logging, and field debug capabilities (black-box flight recorder for fault events)
- Validate control algorithms using hardware-in-the-loop simulation before committing to prototype hardware
- Support bench bringup and prototype testing alongside the power electronics lead
Benefits
- annual bonus
- generous RSU/Equity package
- employee paid health care
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
