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Maven Robotics

Embedded Software Engineer - Real-Time Linux at Maven Robotics (San Francisco Bay Area California, United States)

Maven Robotics· San Francisco Bay Area California, United States·

Job description

Company Overview

Maven Robotics is building the world’s leading general-purpose AI robots.

We are currently operating in stealth and are growing the world’s best team in AI robotics. We are looking for self-starters that are the world’s best in their field, who can innovate from a deep understanding of the fundamentals, and who share our values of unwavering truth seeking and integrity, humility, curiosity, and relentless determination.

Role Description

We are looking to recruit an exceptional Embedded Software Engineer - Real-Time Linux to help build the foundational real-time Linux platform powering the brains of our autonomous robotics systems. This is a critical role for developing high-performance, GPU-accelerated compute platforms tailored to robotics and machine learning workloads.

In this role you will:

  • Design, adapt, and integrate POSIX-compliant systems for advanced robotics and machine learning (ML) applications.
  • Develop the framework for integration of controls, machine learning and supporting algorithms with real-time tasks.
  • Collaborate with Controls and Machine Learning engineers to develop and optimize high performance autonomous systems.
  • Develop and maintain drivers for integration with real-time robotic middleware.
  • Build tools to monitor, verify and optimize system performance, ensuring reliable and deterministic behavior.
  • Contribute to a deterministic and reproducible build and test environment for efficient development.
  • Work with functional safety engineers to support standards compliance, audit readiness, and traceability.
  • Develop robust solutions for over-the-air (OTA) updates, calibration management and software deployment strategies.
  • Tackle complex, real-world challenges alongside a multidisciplinary team of experts.

Qualifications

Must-have:

  • MS in computer engineering, computer science or a related discipline.
  • Production experience with bringup and configuration of Linux PREEMPT_RT and similar operating systems (e.g. QNX).
  • Strong understanding of Linux device trees, scheduling and memory management.
  • Experience with multicore ARM SoCs, interprocess/intercore communications and message passing.
  • Proficiency in C and C++
  • Experience with ROS 2 middleware and alternatives (Eg. FastDDS, CycloneDDS, Zenoh).
  • Familiarity with container technologies, container runtimes and related concepts (Eg. Docker, Containerd, Overlayfs).
  • Understanding of toolchains (compilers, linkers, debuggers, static analysis tools)
  • Self-starter attitude with strong ability to identify problems, prioritize them, then plan and execute working solutions.
  • Proactive, self-driven mindset with a strong ability to prioritize and deliver in a fast-paced startup environment.

Nice-to-have:

  • Familiarity with communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet, EtherCAT, CAN, CANOpen).
  • Knowledge of ARM SIMD/NEON architecture extensions.
  • Proficiency in additional programming languages (e.g. Python, Rust, Golang).
  • Expertise with multi-language build systems (e.g. Bazel, Bob).
  • Experience with Hypervisors (e.g. QNX Hypervisor, Jailhouse, Xen).
  • Understanding of container orchestration systems and tools (Eg. Kubernetes).

Why work at Maven Robotics

  • Culture: Described as a small team of engineers and scientists with "bold ambition, relentless curiosity, and belief in unlocking human potential through intelligent robotics." Emphasis on inventing, creating, and innovating from Silicon Valley.
  • Work model: On-site or in-office workspace at the Santa Clara, CA headquarters. BuiltIn lists offices as "In-Office or Remote" but also states employees work from physical offices; typical time on-site is not specified. The careers page implies hands-on hardware/software work that likely requires presence. [builtin.com]
  • Notable perks/engineering culture: Deep technical challenges across AI, perception, controls, embedded, mechanical, and electrical engineering. The team includes world-class experts from Apple, Tesla, Ford, etc. Opportunities to shape a product from prototype to deployment. Open roles include robotic AI, ML engineering, motion planning, embedded software, and hardware engineering.
  • Growth trajectory: Rapidly growing startup (52% YoY headcount increase) with strong investor interest and a clear industrial go-to-market strategy.

Application questions