Embedded Systems Engineer at an Energy Startup -- FreeRTOS

Mesodyne is a fast-growing, deep-tech startup revolutionizing portable power with our LightCell technology. Originating from MIT research, the LightCell uses thermophotovoltaics (TPV) to convert any fuel into quiet, reliable electricity. By delivering over a 10x improvement in endurance compared to batteries and bridging the gap with legacy engines, Mesodyne is unlocking crucial tactical advantages for defense, aerospace, and remote industrial applications.

We are looking for an Embedded Systems Engineer who loves being close to the physical hardware. You will develop the real-time "brain" of the LightCell. You will write firmware that runs on the bare-metal or RTOS level of microcontrollers (STM32), directly controlling micro-pumps, proportional valves, high-current igniters, blowers, and other actuators.

Key Responsibilities

• Firmware for Real-Time Control: Develop, test, and debug low-overhead C/C++ firmware that executes the state-machines and real-time control loops governing the LightCell's operations.
• RTOS Implementation: Architect and optimize multi-threaded system tasks using FreeRTOS on STM32 microcontrollers, ensuring precise scheduling, task prioritization, and low-latency safety controls.
• Low-Level Device Drivers: Write and validate clean, robust custom drivers for a variety of digital and analog peripherals utilizing communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN bus.
• Debugging: Act as the primary technical bridge at the hardware-firmware boundary. Isolate system bugs in the lab using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD debuggers.
• Test Automation Scripting: Write automated test scripts (Python) to interface with completed hardware, streaming high-speed data for long-duration system characterization.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in bare-metal and RTOS firmware development for complex electromechanical, robotic, or medical systems.
• Language Mastery: Highly proficient in C/C++ for deeply embedded microcontrollers. A passion for writing clean, modular, highly documented, and highly reliable code where failures can have physical consequences.
• Hardware Literacy: Ability to read schematics, locate debugging test points on a PCB, and use hardware laboratory diagnostic tools with confidence.

Location

This position is based at our facility in Somerville, MA.