Job Overview

We are looking for a hands-on Firmware Engineer with deep expertise in motor control for precision robotics. You will own everything from low-level MCU drivers through high-level position-control algorithms for our next-generation dexterous robotic hands. Basic familiarity with electronics is helpful, but your core mission is rock-solid, real-time firmware.

About Us

We are a well-funded startup backed by top VCs and led by alumni of Tesla, Waymo, and Apple. Our goal is to redefine manipulation with state-of-the-art robotic hands, and we need creative, driven engineers to make it happen.

Responsibilities

• Motor-Control Firmware

  • Develop and optimize Field-Oriented Control (FOC), trapezoidal/sinusoidal commutation, torque, velocity, and position loops for multi-phase BLDC actuators.

  • Implement current-sense, Hall/encoder, and sensor-less algorithms; tune PID/observer gains for high-bandwidth, low-noise performance.

• Embedded Platform & Drivers

  • Write bare-metal and RTOS-based (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr) firmware on ARM-Cortex or similar MCUs.

  • Build and maintain peripheral drivers (ADC, PWM, timers, DMA, SPI, I²C, UART, GPIO).

  • Develop and maintain Hardware Abstraction Layers (HAL) to ensure modular, scalable, and portable firmware.

• High-Reliability Communications

  • Architect deterministic communication stacks using CAN 2.0/FD, EtherCAT, SPI, and UART; design message framing and error handling.

• System Integration & Collaboration

  • Work closely with mechanical and controls engineers to co-design actuator modules and validate performance on hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test rigs.

  • Interface with robotics-software teams to expose APIs and integrate with ROS 2 and higher-level planners.

  • Participate in design- and code-reviews, write clear documentation, and mentor junior engineers.

• Testing & Quality

  • Develop unit, HIL, and end-of-line tests; profile real-time latency and MCU resource usage; perform root-cause analysis on field returns.

Required Skill Set

• 5+ years developing production firmware for high-performance electromechanical systems.

• Demonstrated mastery of BLDC/PMSM motor-control theory and implementation (FOC, sensor-less, current/velocity/position loops).

• Strong C/C++ for resource-constrained MCUs; experience with real-time debugging tools (SWO, J-Link, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers).

• Expertise in CAN-based networks (CAN 2.0, CAN-FD), EtherCAT, SPI, and related diagnostic tools (e.g., CANalyzer, Wireshark).

• Solid grasp of control-system math (PID tuning, observers, state-space) and fixed-point/embedded DSP techniques.

• Proven track record collaborating across mechanical, electrical, and software teams; excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience with developing and implementing Hardware Abstraction Layers (HAL).

Nice-to-Have

• Basic PCB bring-up skills (reading schematics, probing with DMM/oscilloscope).

• Experience with tactile sensing processing firmware and IMU processing firmware.

• Experience with safety-critical coding standards (MISRA, IEC 61508, ISO 26262).

• Prior work in robotic grippers, surgical robots, drones, or electric powertrains.

Education

• B.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Why Join Us?

• Make an outsized impact as an early, founding-level firmware engineer.

• Build novel hardware that combines cutting-edge actuation, sensing, and AI.

• Competitive salary, outstanding equity, and full benefits.

• Collaborative, inclusive culture that values rapid iteration and technical excellence.

How to Apply Send your resume and a brief description of a motor-control project you are proud of to careers@tetheria.ai. Let’s build the future of dexterous robotics together!

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Engineer to join our pioneering robotics team. The ideal candidate will have experience in mechanical design, kinematics, robotics actuation, and material selection for high-performance applications. You will play a key role in designing, prototyping, and optimizing complex electromechanical systems, ensuring cutting-edge performance and reliability.

About Us:

We're an innovative robotics startup at an exciting stage, backed by leading VCs, and founded by a team with backgrounds from Tesla, Waymo, and Apple. Our mission is to revolutionize robotics through cutting-edge dexterous hand technology. We're looking for talented, driven individuals ready to shape the future of robotics with us.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, analysis, and testing of precision mechanical systems, including dexterous robotic hands, actuators, and transmission mechanisms.

• Develop robust and lightweight structures using advanced materials and manufacturing techniques.

• Optimize mechanical performance for efficiency, durability, and manufacturability.

• Collaborate closely with electrical and software engineering teams to integrate mechanical designs with sensors, actuators, and control systems.

• Rely on analytical and numerical simulations to validate and refine designs.

• Rapidly iterate prototypes using machining, 3D printing, and other fabrication methods.

• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and reliability standards in mechanical designs.

• Document mechanical designs, analysis reports, and assembly procedures.

Required Skills:

• Experience in CAD software (NX or SolidWorks preferred) for precision mechanical design.

• Strong understanding of kinematics, dynamics, and robotic actuation principles.

• Experience with structural analysis, FEA, and material selection for high-performance systems.

• Proficiency in manufacturing processes including machining, injection molding, and additive manufacturing.

• Knowledge of robotics transmission systems (gears, belts, tendons, and linkages).

• Familiarity with integrating mechanical systems with sensors and actuators.

• Strong problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field with at least 3 years of experience, or equivalent.

Why Join Us:

• Lead and shape a critical, expansive aspect of our groundbreaking robotics projects.

• Significant opportunities for professional and personal growth in a rapidly scaling company.

• Collaborative, inclusive, and energetic environment.

• Competitive compensation and professional growth opportunities.

How to Apply:

Ready to innovate in robotics and grow alongside top industry talent? Send your resume and project portfolio to careers@tetheria.ai. Let's build the future together!

About TetherIA We’re a VC-backed Bay Area startup (ex-Tesla, Waymo, Apple) building high-DOF dexterous robotic hands and groundbreaking algorithms designed to outperform human manipulation. Join our tight-knit, agile team to push cutting-edge research into reality.

About the role Dive into groundbreaking frontier research, where you'll innovate, prototype, and deploy cutting-edge deep reinforcement learning policies, redefining what's possible in dexterous robotic manipulation. Your core mission will be crafting sophisticated robot and environment models, driving revolutionary advancements from simulation directly to reality.

What You'll Do

• Invent & implement state-of-the-art deep RL algorithms for fine manipulation (contact-rich, multi-finger, underactuated).

• Bridge sim-to-real – domain randomization, latent-dynamics adaptation, rapid on-robot evaluation.

• Develop accurate and scalable robot and environment models in MuJoCo and/or Isaac Sim.

• Integrate simulation outputs with real-world robotics via ROS 2 nodes, low-latency controllers, and real-time vision pipelines.

• Show & tell – craft live demos, write internal tech notes, and co-author papers or open-source releases when appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. (in progress or completed) in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.

• Minimum of two years hands-on experience in robot learning, specifically in simulation-based training and sim-to-real deployment.

• Proven projects or published work demonstrating deep RL applied to robotic manipulation (please provide links).

• Strong proficiency in Python and familiarity with PyTorch/JAX.

• Experience with simulation platforms like MuJoCo, Isaac Sim, and RL frameworks (e.g., rsl-rl, Isaac Orbit, Stable-Baselines 3).

• Familiarity with state-of-the-art robotics models such as VLA, Diffusion Policy, ACT, etc.

• Solid understanding of robot kinematics, dynamics, and PID control.

• Ability to work on-site in Santa Clara, CA.

Bonus Points

• First-author publications or open-source contributions in robotic RL or manipulation.

• Practical experience with real robotic hardware (sensor integration, calibration, testing, motor control).

• Available start date between August – September 2025 for 12–25 weeks.

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary, substantial early-stage stock equity, and clear professional advancement pathways.

• High-Impact Role: Join as an early member and founding engineer, directly influencing groundbreaking technology and strategic company direction.

• Dynamic Team Culture: Engage with an energetic, collaborative team that values innovation and creativity.

How to Apply Email careers@tetheria.ai with the subject “Deep RL – [Your Name]”. Include your résumé/CV and links to relevant papers, code repositories, or demonstration videos.

Join us in teaching robots to handle the world—one grip at a time.