Embedded Software Engineer, Implant Embedded Systems
Job description
About the role
Neuralink: Embedded Software Engineer, Implant Embedded Systems
Neuralink is developing devices that create a bidirectional interface with the brain. These systems are designed to restore movement to the paralyzed and restore sight to the blind. The company is also focused on revolutionizing how humans interact with their digital environment. This work is supported by a team specializing in brain interfaces and embedded systems.
The Brain Interfaces Embedded Systems Team consists of engineers focused on high-performance, safety-critical systems for next-generation brain-computer interfaces. Members of this team work closely with chip designers, electrical engineers, and software engineers. The environment is characterized as small and fast-moving.
The position involves writing firmware for brain interfaces, owning complex features from start to finish, and operating within highly powered and latency-constrained environments. The firmware functions as the kernel for the implant, and the role provides the opportunity to define and implement features that significantly impact product capabilities. The position is responsible for transforming demanding technical limits into shipped products.
Key Responsibilities
The Embedded Software Engineer will design intricate firmware while adhering to strict power and latency requirements. This includes architecting bare-metal drivers and communication protocols. Collaboration with chip and electrical teams is constant and necessary.
Engineers will guide product behavior from initial design concepts through verification, manufacturing readiness, and field support. This involves defining intake criteria for new features and translating cross-functional requirements into specific firmware tasks.
The role requires building and executing on constrained hardware, validating behavior with instruments, and ensuring outcomes are robust and manufacturable. Partnership with radio and system teams is essential to align drivers, stacks, and interfaces for seamless interoperability.
Additional duties include supporting review gates, quality checks, and documentation to ensure clarity and traceability for each release. Engineers will ship iterative updates in a fast-paced environment where reliability and safety are central.
Required Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field is required, and equivalent hands-on experience is also accepted. Candidates must bring a minimum of 1 year of experience with embedded systems, including relevant internships.
Proficiency in embedded C or Rust is mandatory, specifically at the bare-metal level. The ability to design solutions for severe power, radio, and thermal boundaries without compromise is essential. Strong fundamentals in electrical engineering and signal processing are required.
Successful candidates thrive on tough challenges, defining problems as well as solving them. They deliver reliable, manufacturable solutions and may enjoy thoughtful conversations about problems and design perfection. The role demands a cross-disciplinary team member who works fluidly with chip designers, electrical engineers, and neuroscientists.
Preferred Qualifications
Hands-on experience with embedded stacks for ARM cores is preferred. Background in safety-critical systems is also valued. Experience with FPGA development and testing is considered an asset.
Practical experience with RF, BLE, TCP/IP stacks, and applied cryptography within embedded systems is preferred.
Compensation and Benefits
The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to range from $119,000 to $281,000 USD. Your actual base pay will be determined by your job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Neuralink offers equity compensation in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSU) for all full-time employees.
Full-time employees are eligible for a specific set of benefits. Further details regarding benefits are available What you'll do
- Design, develop, and maintain firmware for neural interface implants, ensuring strict adherence to power, latency, and safety constraints.
- Architect and implement bare-metal drivers, communication protocols, and low-level system components for next-generation brain-computer interfaces.
- Collaborate continuously with chip designers, electrical engineers, and system teams to define, implement, and validate firmware features.
- Guide product behavior from initial design concepts through verification, manufacturing readiness, and long-term field support.
- Define intake criteria for new features and translate cross-functional requirements into detailed firmware tasks and specifications.
- Build and execute firmware on constrained hardware, validating behavior with precision instruments to ensure robust and manufacturable outcomes.
- Partner with radio and system teams to align drivers, communication stacks, and interfaces for seamless interoperability across neural systems.
- Support review gates, quality checks, and documentation to ensure clarity, traceability, and reliability for each product release.
- Ship iterative firmware updates in a fast-paced environment where reliability, safety, and performance are paramount.
- Engage in thoughtful problem-solving and design discussions to optimize solutions for severe power, radio, and thermal boundaries.
Practical notes
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Engagement: Full-time.
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Location: USA
- Practical notes regarding hours, travel, visa, or deadlines are stated