Firmware Engineer - Testing

1X • San Carlos, CA

22h • $150,000 - $190,000

About The Position

The Firmware Engineer - Testing owns firmware quality across NEO, 1X's home humanoid robot, and partners with firmware developers to help ensure releases are safe for deployment while maintaining development velocity. The role defines release test criteria, performs release qualification, and signs off on firmware releases before they reach the fleet.

The position builds hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) rigs and automated test systems, including Python regression suites integrated into CI. It validates hardware and communication behavior, safety-critical and security features, fault recovery, and firmware updates under failure conditions. The engineer also turns field and fleet issues into regression tests and works closely with firmware, electrical, actuator, and operations engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years of firmware or embedded systems testing experience.
• Ability to test embedded systems at the hardware-software boundary, including timing and fault conditions.
• Ability to read embedded C/C++ to design targeted tests.
• Experience building test automation with Python and Bash.
• Experience using Git and CI systems such as GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or Buildkite.
• Experience with communication protocols such as CAN, UART, I2C, and SPI.
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, electronic loads, and bus analyzers.

Nice To Haves

• Experience building HIL test systems and automation frameworks such as pytest or Robot Framework, including dynamometers, environmental chambers, or fault-injection hardware.
• Experience testing motor control or power electronics firmware, including BLDC/PMSM drives, battery management systems, or power distribution.
• Experience with EtherCAT or CAN FD at 1 kHz and above.
• Familiarity with safety-critical standards such as IEC 61508, ISO 13849, or ISO 26262, including requirements traceability and verification.
• Experience in embedded security testing, including secure boot, code signing, hardware security modules or TPMs, fuzzing, penetration testing, or fault-injection attacks.
• Familiarity with IEC 62443 or ISO/SAE 21434.
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, SafeRTOS, or Zephyr.
• Background in robotics, automotive, or IoT devices.

Responsibilities

• Define firmware release test criteria, run release qualification, and sign off on firmware releases before they reach the fleet.
• Partner with firmware developers early in feature work to define test strategies, close coverage gaps, and provide feedback before code merges.
• Build HIL test rigs ranging from single-board setups to full actuator and robot systems, including fault injection and real-time bus validation.
• Deliver automated Python regression suites that run in CI on every firmware change, with clear pass/fail results.
• Convert field and fleet issues into regression tests.
• Verify safety-critical and security behavior, including fault detection, current and thermal limits, safe torque-off, secure boot, and firmware signing under edge cases and malformed inputs.
• Test recovery to a known safe state after failed or interrupted updates, power loss during flashing, corrupted images, and watchdog resets.
• Perform long-duration soak and stress testing to support fleet robustness.
• Troubleshoot whether bugs originate in firmware, hardware, or the test setup using lab and bus analysis equipment.
• Write automation for repeated tasks, produce clear bug reports, and clarify or challenge unclear requirements.
• Perform manual bench testing, write automation, build custom fixtures, or modify hardware as needed to test difficult conditions.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave.
• 401(k) plan with company match: 100% on the first 3% of contributions and 50% on the next 2%.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
• Commuter benefits for transit and parking.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support.
• Onsite snacks and catered lunches.
• Equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level