{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"8a149ed5ced30c535db90fa5","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/8a149ed5ced30c535db90fa5","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/8a149ed5ced30c535db90fa5","title":"Lead Embedded Software Engineer","description":"Lead Embedded Software Engineer📍 San Francisco, CA (On-site)💰 Competitive Salary + Equity (up to $300,000 overall comp.)🚫 No Visa Sponsorship AvailableThe CompanyA fast-growing, venture-backed startup based in San Francisco is building next-generation technology at the intersection of AI and hardware systems. This is not a corporate environment. It’s a young, high-calibre team of engineers and builders operating with speed, autonomy, and obsession over product. You’ll be working alongside founding engineers and product thinkers, building systems that define how intelligent software interacts with real-world hardware. Expect rapid iteration, real ownership, and zero bureaucracy.Think:Small, elite teamShipping constantlySolving genuinely hard technical problemsHigh trust, high expectationsThe RoleAs a Lead Embedded Software Engineer, you’ll take ownership of core embedded systems and firmware architecture, helping shape both the technical direction and product capability.This is a hands-on, build-first role - ideal for someone who wants to write serious code, not sit in meetings.You’ll:Design and develop low-level embedded software / firmwareWork closely with hardware, AI, and product teams to build real-world systemsDebug and optimise performance across hardware + software interfacesTake ownership of critical systems from concept → deploymentHelp define engineering standards in a scaling startup environmentThe work involves building systems that connect software intelligence with physical devices, infrastructure, and test environmentsWhat We’re Looking ForThis is deliberately selective. We’re targeting high-intelligence, high-agency engineers early in their career.3–5 years experience in embedded software / firmware / low-level systemsStrong background in C/C++ (or similar systems languages)Experience working close to hardware (drivers, interfaces, debugging)Degree from a top-tier university (Computer Engineering, EE, CS, or similar)Someone who builds for fun — side projects, hacking, curiosityIdeal profile:Naturally technical, obsessive, and fast-movingThrives in startup chaos vs structured environmentsWants to build something meaningful early in their careerWhy JoinWork with exceptionally smart engineers in a tight-knit teamDirect exposure to founders and product decisionsReal ownership — your code will ship and matter immediatelyBe part of a company solving hard, meaningful technical problemsStrong upside through equity and growthWho This Isn’t ForAnyone looking for stability over growthEngineers who prefer large teams, structure, or slow processesCandidates requiring visa sponsorshipIf you’re the kind of engineer who builds because you love it, and you want to be surrounded by people operating at a similar level - this is worth a conversation.","company":"Octagon Group","rawCompany":"octagon group","city":"Sonoma","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-05-04T03:14:58.859Z","occupations":[{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"15-1299.08","title":"Computer Systems Engineers/Architects","slug":"computer-systems-engineers-architects"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"513210","title":"Software Publishers","slug":"software-publishers"},{"code":"541511","title":"Custom Computer Programming Services","slug":"custom-computer-programming-services"},{"code":"541512","title":"Computer Systems Design Services","slug":"computer-systems-design-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Lead Embedded Software Engineer","description":"Lead Embedded Software Engineer📍 San Francisco, CA (On-site)💰 Competitive Salary + Equity (up to $300,000 overall comp.)🚫 No Visa Sponsorship AvailableThe CompanyA fast-growing, venture-backed startup based in San Francisco is building next-generation technology at the intersection of AI and hardware systems. This is not a corporate environment. It’s a young, high-calibre team of engineers and builders operating with speed, autonomy, and obsession over product. You’ll be working alongside founding engineers and product thinkers, building systems that define how intelligent software interacts with real-world hardware. Expect rapid iteration, real ownership, and zero bureaucracy.Think:Small, elite teamShipping constantlySolving genuinely hard technical problemsHigh trust, high expectationsThe RoleAs a Lead Embedded Software Engineer, you’ll take ownership of core embedded systems and firmware architecture, helping shape both the technical direction and product capability.This is a hands-on, build-first role - ideal for someone who wants to write serious code, not sit in meetings.You’ll:Design and develop low-level embedded software / firmwareWork closely with hardware, AI, and product teams to build real-world systemsDebug and optimise performance across hardware + software interfacesTake ownership of critical systems from concept → deploymentHelp define engineering standards in a scaling startup environmentThe work involves building systems that connect software intelligence with physical devices, infrastructure, and test environmentsWhat We’re Looking ForThis is deliberately selective. We’re targeting high-intelligence, high-agency engineers early in their career.3–5 years experience in embedded software / firmware / low-level systemsStrong background in C/C++ (or similar systems languages)Experience working close to hardware (drivers, interfaces, debugging)Degree from a top-tier university (Computer Engineering, EE, CS, or similar)Someone who builds for fun — side projects, hacking, curiosityIdeal profile:Naturally technical, obsessive, and fast-movingThrives in startup chaos vs structured environmentsWants to build something meaningful early in their careerWhy JoinWork with exceptionally smart engineers in a tight-knit teamDirect exposure to founders and product decisionsReal ownership — your code will ship and matter immediatelyBe part of a company solving hard, meaningful technical problemsStrong upside through equity and growthWho This Isn’t ForAnyone looking for stability over growthEngineers who prefer large teams, structure, or slow processesCandidates requiring visa sponsorshipIf you’re the kind of engineer who builds because you love it, and you want to be surrounded by people operating at a similar level - this is worth a conversation.","datePosted":"2026-05-04T03:14:58.859Z","dateModified":"2026-05-04T03:14:58.859Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Octagon Group","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Sonoma","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"8a149ed5ced30c535db90fa5"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/8a149ed5ced30c535db90fa5"}}