Embedded Firmware and Controls Engineer (Entry-Level / Intern)

We’re looking for an entry-level Embedded Firmware and Controls Engineer or Embedded Firmware and Controls Engineering Intern to join a small, fast-moving team designing and building large-scale industrial manufacturing equipment. This role works across the low-level firmware and motion control layer of the machine - from embedded code and control loops through hardware integration across a mixed PLC and custom electronics environment - with real hands-on ownership from day one.

• Support the development and maintenance of embedded firmware using modern languages and toolchains for custom electronics integrated into industrial manufacturing equipment
• Implement and tune motion control systems - including servo tuning, trajectory planning, and closed-loop control - alongside senior engineers
• Write PLC control logic in Structured Text and integrate it with machine electrical and mechanical systems
• Work within or alongside real-time operating environments, ensuring deterministic, reliable control at the machine level
• Troubleshoot control and firmware issues across hardware, software, and system boundaries - from logic analysis to live machine debug on the shop floor
• Generate and maintain firmware documentation, version control practices, and controls architecture documentation
• Work directly alongside build technicians, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers - including remote teammates - to bring up and commission complete machine systems
• Contribute to controls engineering standards and documentation practices as the function scales

• Pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechatronics, or computer science from an ABET-accredited program
• Relevant coursework or projects related to embedded systems, microcontrollers, real-time systems, or control theory
• Programming experience in a language suited to embedded development (Rust, C++, C, or similar)
• Hands-on experience running code on real hardware - microcontroller dev boards, sensors, actuators, or motors - not simulation only
• Hands-on debug ability at the bench - comfortable with a multimeter, oscilloscope, and logic analyzer
• Working knowledge of Git and version control practices
• Effective communicator and collaborator in a distributed team environment - comfortable with async communication and remote-first workflows
• Flexible with schedule and hours; thrives in a startup environment where priorities shift and urgency is real

• Prior internships or co-op experience working in industry; experience at an early-stage hard tech or deep tech startup is a major plus
• Exposure to PLC programming in Structured Text or other IEC 61131-3 languages (Beckhoff TwinCAT or CODESYS a plus)
• Motor control or closed-loop control project experience - servo, stepper, PID, or encoder feedback
• RTOS exposure (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar)
• Familiarity with embedded or industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, CAN, SPI, I2C, UART)
• Leadership role on a student engineering team or competition project (FSAE, Baja, rocketry, robotics, or similar)
• Prior experience on a small team where you wore multiple hats

• Willingness to travel as needed for vendor visits, factory acceptance testing, and on-site equipment commissioning
• Comfort with a startup pace – this role demands flexibility, self-direction, and a bias toward getting things done over waiting for perfect conditions

We are a venture-backed manufacturing startup building the most advanced automated production facilities in the United States. We are on a mission to make American manufacturing economically viable — through intelligent machinery, automation, and a relentless focus on execution.

We are early, we are moving fast, and we are looking for exceptional people who want to build something that matters.