Full-Time
Staff Firmware Engineer
Posted on 8/19/2025
ALSO
201-500 employees
Designs compact electric micromobility vehicles
Compensation Overview
$190k - $240k/yr
Palo Alto, CA, USA
In Person
 Software Engineering (1) |
|---|
- B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 8+ years of experience in firmware development, preferably with vertically integrated consumer products
- Expert in C programming, ideally familiar with C++, Python, and bash scripting
- Proficiency with real time operating system platforms, ideally in safety critical applications
- Expert knowledge of embedded microprocessor tools, hardware peripherals, and common buses
- Familiarity with hardware/software architecture selection with cost and performance tradeoffs (e.g. OS, MCU)
- Hands-on experience debugging in real world environments with embedded diagnostics tooling such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG etc.
- Established success in building, growing and developing fast paced, highly experienced software teams spanning multiple embedded disciplines
- Highly collaborative mindset and strong communication skills
- Partner with Electrical, Mechanical, Controls, and UX teams to architect critical vehicle features across the product from low level systems to user interfaces
- Lead the design and implementation of firmware running on a distributed embedded system with multiple microcontrollers, with a focus on optimizing power/energy consumption, security, and safety
- Define system level power requirements and implement low power modes of operation for each of the microcontrollers
- Early phases of firmware development will focus on hardware validation and testing, defining and implementing a system of secure updates, and manufacturing test support
- Optimize firmware for low-power operation, extending the battery life of IoT devices and supporting energy-efficient designs
- Profile power consumption and identify opportunities for optimization on the submodule as well as system level
- Development of HMI (human-machine interface) software features, including display functionality with core vehicle information and infotainment content
- Develop comprehensive test plans and perform thorough testing to validate firmware functionality, stability, and performance under various conditions, including low power modes
- Implement a robust CI/CD pipeline to ensure the team has access to the latest stable and development builds
- Collaborate with QA teams, leverage metrics and familiarity with common lab equipment to monitor for and debug issues at scale
- Partner with existing embedded software teams to share common platforms and code base where appropriate to focus internal team time on building novel, differentiated code
- Engage effectively with third party firms by delivering clear specifications and requirements and managing execution
Also is a micromobility company spun out from Rivian Automotive in 2025 that designs compact electric vehicles for urban travel, including e-bikes, scooters, and small four-wheel models for consumer and commercial use. It follows a vertically integrated approach, developing electric motors, batteries, and software in-house to improve efficiency and design flexibility. Its Transcendent Mobility concept aims to make short trips more engaging and connected while reducing emissions. With Rivian retaining a minority stake and the founder serving as chairman of the board, Also plans to launch its first product in 2026 in the United States and Europe and pursues logistics and delivery applications to broaden urban mobility.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series C
Total Funding
$505M
Headquarters
Palo Alto, California
Founded
2025
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- DoorDash partnership develops autonomous delivery vehicles post-$200M Series C.
- Amazon multi-year deal supplies TM-Q e-cargo quads for US and Europe fleets.
- $1B valuation with $505M total funding accelerates 2026 TM-B and TM-Q launches.
What critics are saying
- DoorDash's Dot robot captures Phoenix market before Also's 2026 autonomous launch.
- Taiwan manufacturing faces US-China tariffs raising costs 20-30% within 12 months.
- Regulatory bans in San Francisco and London block bike-lane autonomous vehicles by 2027.
What makes ALSO unique
- Also's TM-B e-bike uses generator pedaling with software simulating natural cycling.
- Transcendent Mobility integrates automotive engineering into micromobility vehicles.
- Vertically integrated in-house motors, batteries, and software from Rivian spinoff.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Flexible Work Hours
Family Planning Benefits
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↓ -10%2 year growth
↓ -16%San Francisco-based startup Also has developed an electric bicycle that completely reimagines the connection between pedaling and motion. When riders pedal the TM-B, they turn a generator, with software controlling how that power combines with battery output to drive a motor. The bike emerged from conversations with Rivian, the electric car company that helped launch Also. The startup designed most components in-house, including a custom motor housed in cast magnesium and a modular seating system that allows quick configuration changes. During testing, the bike felt natural during normal riding whilst automatically adjusting resistance and power during sudden acceleration, functioning like an automatic transmission. The system responds instantly to changes in pedaling force without requiring manual gear shifts. The TM-B will be manufactured in Taiwan using Also-owned equipment and trained staff.
Rivian spinoff ALSO hits $1B valuation with a $200M Series C led by Greenoaks and a commercial partnership with DoorDash.
Rivian spinoff also plans to build autonomous delivery vehicles for DoorDash. By March 31, 2026 No Comments 3 Mins Read Also, a micromobility company founded within Rivian and spun out last year, will work with DoorDash to develop self-driving delivery vehicles, the companies announced Tuesday. As part of the deal, DoorDash participated in Also's $200 million Series C funding round led by previous investor Greenoaks Capital. DoorDash also has a seat on Also's board of directors. This raise brings Alsoo's total funding to $505 million and a valuation of more than $1 billion. The startup took off with a $105 million investment from Eclipse. Eclipse is also backed by Mind Robotics, an external industrial AI company that Rivian founded late last year. This also began in 2022 as an internal Skunk Works project at Rivian. As first reported by TechCrunch last year, the EV maker initially set out to make electric bikes and also worked with Jony Ive's design company LoveFrom. And while the company's first product is a high-end, funky-looking electric bike, it's also showing off designs for smaller, pedal-assisted delivery vehicles. Amazon, a major investor and partner in Rivian, ordered thousands of these delivery vehicles late last year. It also says it can carry more than 400 pounds while being small enough to fit in bike lanes. The deal with DoorDash marks the first time that Also will develop self-driving versions of small electric vehicles. Rivian founder RJ Scaringe and CEO Chris Yu told TechCrunch last year that almost any form factor was on the table, within practical limits. Rivian and Ars said micromobility startups not only leverage automakers' technology in their products, but also leverage their retail presence and economies of scale. It's also unclear whether it will take advantage of the autonomy technology Rivian is working on. tech crunch event San Francisco, California | October 13-15, 2026 Rivian currently plans to use a combination of cameras, ultrasonic sensors, radar, and eventually LIDAR to bring autonomy to its vehicles. And late last year, Rivian revealed it had developed its own custom silicon and autonomous computers to further enhance the self-driving capabilities of its vehicles. Scaringe has already hinted that Mind Robotics will use this chip, so it's possible that Also will use it as well. TechCrunch has reached out to both Rivian and Also and will update this article if they respond. DoorDash may handle self-driving technology. The company has its own autonomous division and has spent several years developing a robotic vehicle called Dot that is equipped with lidar, radar and camera sensors and can autonomously navigate roads, bike lanes and sidewalks. The brightly colored, cartoon-eyed vehicles can travel up to 20 miles per hour and make deliveries in the metro Phoenix area.
Also, an electric bike and transportation startup spun out of Rivian Automotive, has raised $200 million in a funding round that values the company at $1 billion. The Palo Alto-based firm also announced a partnership with DoorDash to develop autonomous deliveries. The financing was led by existing investor Greenoaks Capital, with participation from Prysm and DoorDash. The deal marks a significant milestone for Also as it expands beyond electric bikes into broader transportation solutions. The DoorDash partnership will focus on autonomous delivery technology, leveraging Also's expertise in electric mobility.
A Rivian-backed startup developing small electric vehicles was valued at $1 billion in a new investment from Greenoaks Capital, according to people familiar with the matter.