---
title: 'Firmware Engineer at Critical Loop'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/firmware-engineer-critical-loop-torrance-rn46b6et28x2'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Firmware Engineer at Critical Loop

- **Company:** Critical Loop
- **Location:** Torrance, CA
- **Compensation:** $160k–$200k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-12
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/criticalloop/84be3dc0-6a2c-46a4-8327-2e8a84bd119e

## Job description

## About Critical Loop

Critical Loop is shaping the next generation of energy systems by building the integrated edge grid of the future. Specializing in advanced energy management and battery control systems, Critical Loop empowers businesses and communities to seamlessly unite distributed energy resources for faster, more reliable, and affordable grid access. With deep expertise in grid modernization and a passion for creating resilient, responsive energy solutions, Critical Loop drives innovation at the intersection of technology and energy.

We’re looking for a software engineer who is comfortable working beyond conventional application boundaries. You’ll contribute to everything from drivers and communication services running on embedded Linux hardware to backend systems, data pipelines, and the interfaces used by customers and operators.

You’ll collaborate directly with hardware engineers and develop software that controls and monitors physical systems deployed in the field. If you enjoy work where software has real-world consequences—and where debugging sometimes involves a multimeter—this role is for you.

This role is Hybrid in local market (Torrance and commutable surrounding areas)

Responsibilities:

- Design and build software spanning embedded drivers, device communications, backend services, data pipelines, and operator-facing interfaces
- Develop the network communication and driver layers that power our site controllers and distributed energy resources
- Build and maintain automated data pipelines for utility interval data analysis and real-time energy monitoring
- Collaborate with hardware engineers to develop and iterate on embedded system designs
- Help architect systems that are reliable, observable, maintainable, and deployable across physically distributed sites
- Participate in hardware bring-up, field testing, commissioning, and debugging of deployed systems
- Own features from initial design through deployment and field validation

Requirements:

- Proficiency in one or more systems programming languages, such as C, C++, or Rust
- Experience with a higher-level language used for services, automation, or data processing, such as Python or Go
- Experience writing firmware, drivers, or hardware-facing software for embedded targets
- Comfort working close to hardware, including reading schematics, debugging over serial or JTAG, and reasoning about timing and electrical behavior
- Experience building backend services and APIs, ideally for real-time, distributed, or telemetry-driven systems
- Ability to take ownership of ambiguous problems and operate with minimal oversight in a fast-moving startup environment

Preferred Requirements:

- Familiarity with industrial protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, or CAN bus
- Experience with SCADA systems, distributed energy resources, or industrial controls
- Experience with battery energy storage systems, inverters, power conversion equipment, or other grid-edge hardware
- Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other safety-critical embedded domains
- Exposure to machine learning, signal processing, controls, or data analysis in a hardware context
- A degree in physics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline

Work Authorization We are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

At Critical Loop, we're committed to rewarding and supporting our team. Our benefits package includes equity ownership through stock options, giving you a stake in our success, along with comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, and vision) through an HRA with a generous allowance. We also provide a retirement savings plan and unlimited paid time off so you can recharge and maintain work-life balance. Critical Loop is an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to building a diverse team and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

## About Critical Loop

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Energy infrastructure, distributed energy resources (DER), battery energy storage systems (BESS), microgrids.
- **Target customers**: B2B / enterprise – industrial manufacturing, data centers, utilities, critical infrastructure, and EV fleet operators.
- **Mission**: “We’re building a world where energy is abundant and accessible on demand.” The company also states it aims to “accelerate access to reliable power, even where it’s otherwise impossible.” [criticalloop.com](https://www.criticalloop.com/about)

## Products & Services
- **Modular Battery Storage Systems**: Relocatable, megawatt-scale batteries that can be deployed in weeks to provide fast, flexible capacity.
- **Microgrid Cabinet**: A smart, scalable cabinet that integrates different power sources (grid, battery, renewables) into a single controlled system.
- **Control Software**: Proprietary platform for orchestrating power sources, real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and optimization.
- **Full‑Spectrum Energy Solutions**: End‑to‑end project development including financing, design, permitting, deployment, and ongoing operations & maintenance.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: 50 MWh deployed, scaling to 100+ MWh in 2026, with a stated path to 5–10 GWh within five years. The company operates 55+ active control nodes under actual utility contracts. [criticalloop.com](https://www.criticalloop.com/)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not publicly disclosed. The team includes former leaders from SpaceX, Palantir, Tesla, and Rivian, and the company works with “blue‑chip customers” and utilities.
- **Growth Signals**: Rapid scaling of deployed capacity; 67 employees (as of mid‑2026); active hiring across hardware, software, and business development roles; operating in California with utility contracts.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Speed to power**: “Get megawatts in weeks, not years” – a key differentiator in a market where grid interconnection often takes 5+ years.
- **Configurable platform**: Combines grid power with a proprietary battery fleet, allowing the same hardware/software stack to serve multiple industries (manufacturing, data centers, utilities, etc.).
- **Aerospace‑level engineering**: Founding team from SpaceX, Palantir, and Tesla brings rigor in safety, reliability, and system integration.
- **Proven in the field**: Systems already deployed in extreme conditions with real utility contracts, not just prototypes.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Scale deployed capacity to 100+ MWh in 2026, expand industrial customer base, and deepen partnerships with utilities to close grid gaps. The company is solving the “time‑to‑power” problem that limits business growth in the U.S.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “No endless meetings. No busywork. Just real problems, real ownership, and shipping things that matter.” Early‑stage, fast‑paced environment with a bias toward action. [criticalloop.com/careers](https://www.criticalloop.com/careers)
- **Location & work model**: Engineering roles (Senior Mechanical Engineer, Senior Electrical Engineer, Hardware Technical Program Manager) are listed as “Long Beach (On‑site).” Other roles may vary.
- **Notable perks**:
  - Equity ownership (stock options) for all team members.
  - 401(k) retirement savings plan.
  - Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) – a monthly allowance to choose health, dental, and vision plans.
  - Generous paid time off (unlimited for some roles, 15 days for others) and unlimited sick leave.

## Sources
1. [criticalloop.com](https://www.criticalloop.com/) – Main company site with product, deployment, and mission details.
2. [criticalloop.com/careers](https://www.criticalloop.com/careers) – Careers page with culture, perks, and open roles.
3. [criticalloop.com/about](https://www.criticalloop.com/about) – About page with mission, speed‑to‑power narrative, and customer segments.
4. [criticalloop.com/team](https://criticalloop.com/team) – Team page listing co‑founders and leadership backgrounds.
5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/criticalloop](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/criticalloop) – Active job listings with salary ranges and location details.

## Other roles at Critical Loop

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- [Lead Quality Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-quality-systems-engineer-critical-loop-torrance-e4eqtkmpafpr) — Torrance, CA
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