Firmware Engineer
About the job
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field is required.
- At least 7 years of professional experience in embedded software development using C/C++ for real-time, safety-critical systems is required.
- A deep understanding of motor control theory, real-time servo control, and PID loop tuning is required.
- Hands-on experience interfacing with commercial off-the-shelf motor controllers and implementing CANopen or similar fieldbus protocols is required.
- Experience processing feedback sensors such as resolvers and encoders, and using digital signal filtering, is required.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required to collaborate effectively with hardware teams and external clients.
- A passion for innovation and a desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment are required.
- Architect and write bare-metal or RTOS-based firmware in C/C++ for custom microcontrollers to manage real-time motor control.
- Design, implement, and tune PID control loops for position, velocity, and torque across single- and dual-motor configurations from 500W to 5000W.
- Develop communication interfaces between custom microcontrollers and commercial off-the-shelf motor drive printed circuit boards using CANopen, CAN-FD, or Ethernet.
- Integrate, calibrate, and process data from high-resolution feedback sensors, including resolvers, absolute and incremental encoders, and Hall effect sensors.
- Implement state machines and diagnostic routines for fail-safe operation, supporting one-motor versus two-motor redundancy architectures and fault-tolerant communication.
- Partner with hardware electrical engineers to test microcontroller-to-commercial-drive integrations, including hardware-in-the-loop testing and dynamometer/test-stand validation.
- Promote technical excellence and robust software verification and validation processes.
- Plan technical and programmatic aspects of embedded software architecture.
- Define and review complete bare-metal or real-time operating system architectures.
- Identify and manage software risks, especially those involving real-time constraints and fault handling.
- Identify key communication protocols and feedback sensor strategies.
- Lead technical teams through software integration and project completion.
- Lead brainstorming sessions, conduct code reviews, provide technical guidance, and assist with debugging and troubleshooting during hardware-in-the-loop testing and verification and validation activities.
- A Master of Science degree in a relevant engineering discipline is preferred.
- Experience in aerospace, electric vehicle, or robotics industries is preferred.
- Familiarity with aerospace software standards such as DO-178C or automotive standards such as ISO 26262 is preferred.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing frameworks is preferred.
- A portfolio of successfully launched products featuring custom embedded motor control is preferred.
About the company
Motivo provides AI-driven analytics for the semiconductor design and manufacturing process. Its software analyzes the full chip workflow from RTL to layout using a proprietary learning-on-graph approach (M-Graph) to automatically extract data-driven features. Its modules include M-DVP for accelerating design validation, M-TCO for faster timing convergence, and M-OPT for improving manufacturing yield. The system offers explainable AI to identify root causes of yield problems and prescribes actionable steps, helping teams reduce design validation time and increase yield. Motivo differentiates itself with end-to-end, data-centric optimization that spans design and manufacturing, grounded in graph-based learning and an emphasis on explainability. The company aims to help fabless design houses and other semiconductor firms shorten development cycles and lower costs when designing and ramping up new chips.
Company Size
1-10
Company Stage
Series A
Total Funding
$20.5M
Headquarters
Palo Alto, California
Founded
2015
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Motivo still publicly markets AI yield and timing tools on updated 2026 pages.
- The company claims 10x cycle-time improvements across multiple chip-design steps.
- Semiconductor complexity keeps creating demand for faster validation and manufacturability analytics.
What critics are saying
- No verified customer wins, revenue, or product launches appeared in 2025-2026 public reporting.
- Motivo’s only dated financing remains the August 2021 Series A, signaling limited external momentum.
- Silicon Valley EDA rivals can outspend Motivo quickly, making a breakout designation hard.
What makes Motivo unique
- Motivo’s M-Graph platform applies explainable AI across RTL-to-layout chip workflows.
- Its 2026 site emphasizes learning-on-graph methods for validation, timing closure, and yield.
- Intel Capital led Motivo’s $12 million Series A in August 2021.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- 401(k) Company Match
- Paid Vacation
- Profit Sharing