Haptics Firmware Engineer

This role involves designing low-latency, real-time haptic solutions, integrating actuators and sensors, and developing firmware for prototype hardware and custom silicon. Interface microcontrollers with sensors and actuators, including Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs), Voice Coil Actuators (VCAs), and piezoelectric actuators.

Haptics Firmware Engineer
Sunnyvale, CA (hybrid)
12+ Months Contract

Summary
Client is seeking a skilled Haptics Firmware Engineer to develop embedded firmware for advanced haptic technologies, including the Taptic Engine. This role involves designing low-latency, real-time haptic solutions, integrating actuators and sensors, and developing firmware for prototype hardware and custom silicon. The ideal candidate has strong embedded software development experience, expertise in C/C++, and a solid understanding of actuator control, digital signal processing, and hardware debugging. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the product development lifecycle to deliver reliable, high-performance haptic experiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize firmware for the Taptic Engine and advanced haptic technologies.
• Contribute to all stages of the product development lifecycle, from proof-of-concept prototypes and demonstrations to production-ready firmware.
• Design low-latency, end-to-end haptic solutions integrating touch and force sensors with actuators.
• Gather technical requirements, create system block diagrams, review hardware schematics, and define communication protocols, operating modes, and firmware features.
• Develop, document, and validate firmware features on prototype hardware and custom silicon.
• Integrate actuator control algorithms while meeting strict real-time performance requirements using digital signal processing (DSP) concepts.
• Interface microcontrollers with sensors and actuators, including Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs), Voice Coil Actuators (VCAs), and piezoelectric actuators.
• Implement and optimize low-level control algorithms and, where applicable, closed-loop control systems in embedded environments.
• Perform board bring-up, firmware debugging, and hardware-level troubleshooting using JTAG debuggers, mixed-signal oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Conduct bench testing to validate firmware performance, power consumption, and thermal characteristics.
• Collaborate with quality assurance (QA) and hardware teams to identify root causes, resolve defects, and deliver robust production firmware.
• Partner with factory teams to establish and meet manufacturing test, calibration, and validation requirements.
• Leverage AI-powered development tools to accelerate coding, debugging, test framework development, and overall firmware quality improvements.
• Collaborate with a vertically integrated technology team to develop innovative features and deliver high-quality haptic experiences.

Requirements
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in the haptics industry, embedded software engineering, or haptic firmware development.
• Strong proficiency in C or C++ for embedded systems development.
• Experience developing firmware for embedded systems using bare-metal programming or real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Hands-on experience with Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs) and familiarity with other actuators, such as VCAs and piezoelectric actuators.
• Experience interfacing microcontrollers with sensors and actuators.
• Strong understanding of embedded peripherals and communication protocols, including DMA, USB, UART, SPI, and I2C.
• Experience with board bring-up, hardware debugging, and firmware validation using JTAG, mixed-signal oscilloscopes, and/or logic analyzers.
• Knowledge of embedded firmware design best practices, testing methodologies, and software quality standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware and software issues and perform systematic root-cause analysis.
• Experience using AI-powered development tools to improve coding efficiency, debugging, test automation, and code quality.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree with advanced coursework in embedded systems, control systems, and/or signal processing.
• Experience designing and implementing closed-loop control systems.
• Expertise in developing low-level control algorithms for embedded environments.
• Knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) techniques and real-time actuator control.
• Experience developing firmware for custom silicon and prototype hardware.
• Familiarity with haptic system calibration, manufacturing test processes, and production validation.

Metasys Technologies/NVISH is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability status.