Firmware Engineer, Robotics Job at OpenAI (San Francisco)

Firmware Engineer, Robotics

OpenAI

Location:
United States , San Francisco

Category:
IT - Software Development

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

185000.00 - 268000.00 USD / Year

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Job Description:

As a Firmware Engineer on the Robotics team, you will help enable the next generation of embodied AI by developing low-level firmware that drives our robotic systems. You will join at an early phase of our firmware development, working alongside electrical, mechanical, and control systems engineers to bring up new boards, integrate novel sensors, and build foundational infrastructure for the distributed system that drives our robots. This role is hands-on and bare-metal focused. You will read datasheets and reference manuals, write startup code and peripheral drivers, and debug hardware–firmware interactions during board bring-up and deployment. Your work will span everything from simple single-purpose sensing devices to more complex, safety- and reliability-critical subsystems, with an emphasis on correctness, performance, and scalability. By working closely across disciplines, you will help ensure that firmware, hardware, and system-level assumptions align, and that new designs can be brought up, tested, and iterated on quickly. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the early firmware architecture for advanced robotic systems operating in real-world environments.

Job Responsibility:

Help enable the next generation of embodied AI by developing low-level firmware that drives robotic systems
Work at an early phase of firmware development, working alongside electrical, mechanical, and control systems engineers to bring up new boards, integrate novel sensors, and build foundational infrastructure for the distributed system that drives robots
Read datasheets and reference manuals, write startup code and peripheral drivers, and debug hardware–firmware interactions during board bring-up and deployment
Work on everything from simple single-purpose sensing devices to more complex, safety- and reliability-critical subsystems, with an emphasis on correctness, performance, and scalability
Help ensure that firmware, hardware, and system-level assumptions align, and that new designs can be brought up, tested, and iterated on quickly
Shape the early firmware architecture for advanced robotic systems operating in real-world environments

Requirements:

Experience developing firmware for microcontrollers
Comfortable writing bare-metal firmware or eager to deepen understanding of startup code, peripheral drivers, low-level system initialization, and bootloaders
Regularly read datasheets, reference manuals, and schematics
Have participated in board bring-up, lab debugging, or early hardware validation
Curious about how systems fail and enjoy debugging hardware-firmware interactions using real measurement tools
Comfortable developing in a test-driven environment as well as building testbenches or simple tooling to validate hardware and system behavior
Care about writing correct, robust firmware and improving technical judgment through hands-on experience

Nice to have:

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
Experience with common embedded communication protocols (e.g., SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, BiSS)
Experience writing C++, or Rust for microcontrollers, especially in resource-constrained or bare-metal environments
Familiarity with hardware debugging tools such as JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, or similar lab equipment
Experience with robotics, sensing systems, data acquisition, or other hardware-centric products
Clear written and verbal communication skills, especially when collaborating with hardware and systems engineers

What we offer:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided
Offers Equity
Performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
February 21, 2026

Employment Type:

Fulltime

Work Type:

On-site work

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