Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Do you want to build real things and use technology for something meaningful? Do you want to fight to make the world’s fresh produce healthier, tastier, and more sustainable?

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer at Tortuga, you’ll be core to the development of our robotic harvesting software with a specialty in working with low level hardware interfaces. As an early team member, you’ll start with a working robot and help us develop the next generation by integrating more sophisticated sensors and communications protocols at the board and firmware level. This includes working on and with cameras, motor controllers, sensors, microcontrollers, and the associated software interfaces. You’ll hold meaningful equity and are excited to grow your role as Tortuga grows.

What you’ll do

• Advise system level design direction while working closely with electrical and mechanical engineers on high performance, reliable, and low-cost solutions

• Assist in the creation of functional requirements for embedded systems

• Integrate communications from custom PCBs (motor controllers, domain controllers, etc.) to low level software interfaces

• Develop embedded software architecture and help drive key design decisions

• Create automated tests to verify functionality of embedded software

• Debug communication bus and software level faults

• Create C++ interfaces that communicate between embedded systems and higher level software

• Provide technical leadership on a small team of embedded software engineers

• Lead the effort to develop functionally safe embedded software and advocate for safety throughout the development and testing process

What we’re looking for

• Required: 7+ years of embedded systems development for robotics, autonomous vehicles, or similar systems

• Required: B.S. Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or relevant degree

• Required: Strong proficiency in C/C++, and Python programming with microcontrollers (STM32, PIC, AURIX, Hercules) using RTOS (e.g., freeRTOS)

• Required: Experience in developing and qualifying functionally safe hardware and software (IEC 61508, ISO 26262, ISO 13849, ISO 25119, ISO 19014, etc.)

• Required: Solid understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuit analysis and design

• Required: Demonstrated experience in prototype development, testing, and scaling designs to production quality

• Required: Skilled in hardware debugging with tools such as DMM, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers

• Preferred: Experience developing for a distributed system with multiple microcontrollers using industrial communications buses (CANOpen, EtherCAT, Ethernet)

• Preferred: Knowledge of FOC motor control and TCP/IP communications

• Preferred: Familiarity with version control systems, preferably Git

• Preferred: Startup experience

Please note you must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of our salary range for this position. Actual salaries may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, education, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel. The range listed is just one component of Tortuga’s total compensation package for employees.  

Denver area base salary range: $160,000 - $200,000 per year. 

This position is based in Denver, with the ability to work from home 2 - 3 days a week, based on business needs (100% remote is not available). Relocation assistance is available for out-of-state candidates.

About Tortuga

Tortuga AgTech’s mission is to build a healthier society, and a thriving ecosystem, through smarter farming. We’re pursuing our mission by building robotic harvesting and precision analytics systems for the world’s leading fresh produce growers (delicious things like strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and herbs). We’re building not just because it’s fun, but because we believe thoughtful, well-built advanced technology can help farmers grow healthier, fresher, more environmentally sustainable produce for everyone. We’re backed by some of the most respected early-stage investors in Silicon Valley, as well as ag industry veterans. 

Tortuga means “turtle” in Spanish. Around the world, turtles are symbols of wisdom, patience, and connectedness to the Earth. We’re proud to be based in Denver, CO - a growing and leading robotics hub in North America, and a great place to live! 

Tortuga is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Compensation Range: $160K - $200K