Firmware Engineer Intern, Robotics and Surgery Engineering

About the role

Neuralink is pioneering the development of advanced neural interface technology aimed at creating a direct, bidirectional communication pathway between the human brain and external devices. The company's mission is to develop devices capable of restoring movement and sight, as well as enabling new ways for humans to interact with technology. As a Firmware Engineer Intern within the Robotics and Surgery Engineering team, you will play a critical role in advancing embedded systems that support robotic surgical procedures. Your work will contribute to the development of innovative hardware and software solutions that enable precise, safe, and reliable operation of neural interface devices and surgical robots. This internship offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of neurotechnology, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to solve complex engineering challenges and make a tangible impact on the future of medicine and human augmentation.

Key facts

The internship is based at Neuralink's headquarters in South San Francisco, where the company's engineering teams work on cutting-edge projects related to neural interfaces, embedded systems, and robotics. This position is on-site, requiring interns to be physically present at the office location. The team you will join is part of the Robotics and Surgery Engineering division, which focuses on developing embedded firmware and hardware solutions for robotic surgical systems and neural interface devices. The internship duration and specific start and end dates are not specified in the source, but it is structured as a typical engineering internship program. Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate of $35 per hour, with full-time employment benefits available to full-time staff but not to interns initially. The internship provides an excellent environment for gaining hands-on experience in embedded firmware development, working with state-of-the-art hardware, and contributing to high-impact projects in neurotechnology.

What you'll do

• Design, develop, and refine embedded firmware for robotic surgical systems and neural interface devices, ensuring high reliability and safety standards.
• Improve existing embedded software by updating, optimizing, or removing outdated code to enhance system performance and maintainability.
• Conduct comprehensive testing and validation of embedded firmware to verify functionality, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Participate in peer code reviews to ensure code quality, consistency, and adherence to best practices in embedded software development.
• Develop device drivers and application software that expand the capabilities of robotic systems, including sensors, actuators, and data acquisition modules.
• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to make informed decisions regarding hardware-software integration, hardware platform selection, and firmware deployment strategies.
• Troubleshoot firmware issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement effective solutions to resolve bugs or hardware-software interface problems.
• Document firmware development processes, system configurations, and testing procedures to ensure knowledge sharing and maintainability.
• Support the deployment, calibration, and testing of embedded systems in laboratory and clinical environments, ensuring systems operate as intended.
• Assist in the development of new hardware platforms by providing firmware support during hardware design, testing, and iteration phases.
• Engage with cross-disciplinary teams, including mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, to coordinate development efforts and share technical insights.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development workflows, testing methodologies, and documentation standards within the team.

Requirements

• Proven success in a science or engineering discipline, demonstrated through significant projects, research, or problem-solving experience.
• Experience in embedded software development, including familiarity with embedded programming languages such as C, C++, or Rust.
• Ability to work with embedded toolchains, compilers, debuggers, and version control systems.
• Strong understanding of embedded hardware components, interfaces, and protocols.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as SPI, UART, and I2C, with additional familiarity with advanced protocols like PCIe, MIPI CSI/DSI, USB, and 802.3 being advantageous.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, datasheets, and hardware documentation.
• Good problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot complex embedded systems.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and document technical work clearly.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
• Prior experience with embedded Linux, kernel configuration, device trees, or driver development is a plus but not required.

Nice to have

• At least 2 years of experience in embedded firmware development, ideally in a medical, robotics, or high-reliability environment.
• Familiarity with building and initializing microcontrollers (MCUs) and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
• Experience working with embedded Linux platforms, including kernel development, device tree management, and driver programming.
• Knowledge of ARM architectures, bootloaders, and hardware initialization procedures.
• Experience coding device drivers for sensors, actuators, and high-speed data acquisition systems.
• Understanding of safety-critical software development processes and standards, especially relevant to medical devices.
• Familiarity with version control systems like Git, and continuous integration workflows.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in embedded programming languages such as C, C++, or Rust.
• Familiarity with embedded development environments, toolchains, and debugging tools.
• Understanding of MCU architectures, peripherals, and communication interfaces.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, datasheets, and hardware specifications.
• Knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) fundamentals.
• Experience with embedded Linux kernel configuration, device trees, and driver development.
• Skills in troubleshooting hardware and firmware issues using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters.
• Ability to work with cross-disciplinary teams and communicate technical concepts effectively.

Practical notes

The hourly wage for this internship is $35 per hour. Full-time employees at Neuralink enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid holidays, commuter benefits, and meals. Interns are initially not eligible for equity (RSUs) or certain benefits until they meet specific criteria, but they gain valuable hands-on experience working on cutting-edge neurotechnology projects. The position requires on-site presence at the South San Francisco office, and candidates should be prepared to work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. This internship provides an excellent opportunity for students or early-career engineers interested in embedded systems, robotics, and medical device development to contribute to impactful projects and develop their skills in a highly innovative setting.