Head of Embedded Software

Peak Energy•Burlingame, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Peak Energy is seeking a Head of Embedded Software to lead the team responsible for developing the firmware for their gigawatt-scale sodium-ion energy storage systems. This is a hands-on leadership role where the individual will manage a team of approximately 6 embedded and firmware engineers while also contributing directly to firmware architecture, safety-critical code, and hardware bring-up. The role requires strong embedded engineering skills and involves setting technical direction, owning the firmware roadmap, and making critical technical decisions. The Head of Embedded Software will also be responsible for team management, including hiring, coaching, career development, and fostering a culture of engineering rigor. The output of the embedded team is critical for Peak's scaling towards production, making this a role with significant impact and ownership. The title and level can be adjusted based on candidate strengths, ranging from Principal Embedded Engineer + Team Lead to Director.

Requirements

10-15+ years of professional embedded software engineering experience with a strong track record of hands-on technical contribution to shipping hardware products.
Deep expertise in real-time embedded firmware, including C++, RTOS-based systems, and safety-critical or high-reliability applications.
Experience shipping at least two commercial or industrial hardware products from prototype through production.
Proven ability to design and evolve embedded software architecture for complex, safety-critical systems (e.g., BMS, motor control, automotive, aerospace, medical).
2+ years of prior people management experience, including direct reports, performance conversations, and hiring decisions.
Strong debugging skills using debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and related test equipment.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
Eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience in energy storage, battery management systems, EVs, or other high-reliability, safety-critical hardware products.
Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262, IEC 61508, UL 991, or similar).
Prior experience building an embedded team from small (<5) to mid-scale (10–20), including hiring, onboarding, and technical bar-setting.
Experience with hardware bring-up, validation, and manufacturing test infrastructure.
Comfort with Linux as a development environment, CMake/Make, Git, GitHub, Docker/Earthly, and modern CI tooling.
Track record of representing engineering to executive leadership, including presenting to CTOs, boards, or customer technical teams.

Responsibilities

Set the technical direction and architecture for Peak's embedded software stack across the ESS platform.
Contribute hands-on to critical firmware code, including real-time C++ RTOS-based systems, safety-critical BMS logic, and supervisory control.
Own critical technical decisions regarding architectural choices, safety-case design, RTOS selection, hardware interface design, and real-time performance.
Lead code reviews on high-risk paths and establish coding standards, review processes, and development practices.
Drive hardware bring-up, system integration, validation, and field-support engineering.
Represent embedded software in cross-functional discussions with electrical, systems, controls, and hardware teams.
Manage a team of approximately 6 embedded and firmware engineers, including Senior Staff and Staff-level ICs.
Oversee hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career growth for the team.
Set the team's roadmap and delivery cadence, breaking down work, sequencing tasks, and tracking progress.
Establish the team's operating rhythm, including standups, sprint planning, retrospectives, on-call rotations, and technical decision reviews.
Grow the team by approximately 2-3 additional hires over the next 12 months.
Maintain the hiring bar and manage the intake process.
Coach individual engineers on career development and provide constructive feedback.
Represent the team's work and constraints to engineering leadership, product management, and other stakeholders.
Embody Peak's core values in leadership approach.