Opportunity Embedded & Firmware work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list. Find me work
techroles

Senior or Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Ouster ouster.com Open · verified Oct 24, 2026
San Francisco Full-time Senior Embedded & Firmware

At a glance

Senior Embedded & Firmware role at Ouster. San Francisco · full-time · $160,000–$220,000 base.

SalaryStated by Ouster
$160,000 – $220,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
This role, from OusterOur estimate for the market: $205,000–$228,000Median $207,000
The range includes the market median of $207,000 for senior embedded & firmware roles in San Francisco.
Worked out from 17 postings that stated pay, median $207,000. Last updated Oct 21, 2026.
RoleEmbedded & Firmware
SenioritySenior
LocationSan Francisco
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$160,000–$220,000
PostedSep 21, 2026 · 4w ago
Role brief

techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

  • Design the overall firmware structure and implement the embedded software that operates the lidar system
  • Set technical direction with firmware colleagues while serving as a senior engineering partner to the team lead
  • Move between high-level system architecture and hands-on development of lower-level software modules

What you bring

  • Deep modern C++ skills for embedded systems, plus strong working experience with Rust and Python
  • Background in Linux kernel or driver development, complex embedded systems and hardware bring-up
  • Experience with ARM-A class processors, such as TDA4x or AMD Zynq, or comparable systems
  • Clear written and spoken communication, with a track record of setting schedules and delivering results

Who this fits

This senior or staff-level individual-contributor role suits an engineer comfortable spanning system architecture and low-level implementation while guiding technical choices. The position is on-site in San Francisco.

From the employer

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip-scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high-resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

As the Sr or Staff level for the Embedded Engineering team, you will be responsible for architecting, executing, and building the embedded software that powers our lidar firmware system. You will work as a technical peer to the team lead alongside a team of talented ICs with expertise in Linux, C, and C++, Rust, and Python. Your breadth of experience should allow you to both architect the high-level system and implement low-level modules. In addition, you will work closely with the entire firmware team to provide guidance and align on technical direction. Strong communication and a desire to learn are required for our entire team! Come build lidar with us!

This is an onsite position based in our San Francisco, CA office.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Mastery of Modern C++ for embedded systems
  • Strong experience with Rust and Python
  • Strong experience with Linux kernel/driver development
  • Strong experience working with complex embedded systems and bring-up
  • Strong experience with ARM-A class SoCs (TDA4x, AMD Zynq, or similar)
  • Results-oriented, and able to set and meet schedules in a fast-paced and dynamic start-up environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication

BONUS QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Security
  • RTOS development
  • Functional safety (FuSa, ISO26262, ASIL-B, SIL-2)
  • CI/CD, HIL, Test Infrastructure
  • Networking
  • SIMD/VLIW programming
  • Multi-core synchronization and IPC
The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($160,000 - $220,000)

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Opportunity

Embedded & Firmware work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Embedded & Firmware$160k+

Find me work

By the team behind techroles.

Find me work
Opportunity

Embedded & Firmware work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Find me work

By the team behind techroles.