Embedded Software Engineer

The Reality Labs Research Software Team is looking for an Embedded Software Engineer to help bring next-generation display prototypes to life through collaboration and commitment. Our research pushes the boundaries of human visual experience and immersion — building fully integrated head-mounted display prototypes that explore novel display architectures, advanced light engines, and the complete system stacks needed to evaluate them. Your firmware will drive display pipelines, bring up custom display hardware, manage real-time subsystem coordination, and provide the reliable hardware abstraction that turns optical research concepts into working prototype experiences. This role requires a firmware engineer comfortable working across the embedded systems spectrum, from low-level MCU peripheral bring-up and display controller configuration to SoC-level system integration, in service of rapidly evolving research hardware. You will work across a technology stack that includes real-time operating systems, MIPI display interfaces, FPGA-based prototyping, custom display controllers, and power-optimized embedded architectures for wearable form factors. We are looking for someone who sees ambiguity as opportunity, nurtures a sense of ownership in themselves and others, and thrives in an honest and considerate environment. We embrace AI-native ways of working, using AI tools as force multipliers to accelerate development, testing, and iteration. We have many exciting problems to solve, and we depend on people who embrace a creative, thoughtful approach to short-term and long-term problem-solving to drive our innovation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and debug firmware and embedded software for display subsystems and prototype platforms, including display controller bring-up, display pipeline configuration, and timing/synchronization of novel light engines
• Understand and implement firmware on microcontrollers and SoCs, leverage peripherals, manage power consumption, support boot loaders, and schedule real-time tasks (RTOS)
• Support firmware on FPGA-based prototyping systems where applicable (video input interfaces, display driving logic)
• Support all phases of custom hardware development, including early architecture requirements definition, firmware and embedded system architecture, proof-of-concept implementation, selection of MCUs and tools, and board bring-up
• Collaborate across research-focused and engineering disciplines — firmware, software, hardware, and cross-functional teams — making the architectural tradeoffs required to rapidly deliver firmware solutions and ensuring platforms integrate well with adjacent systems
• Contribute to embedded software development practices and support project execution, including requirements tracking and documentation
• Document and communicate learning, understanding, and problem-solving to a wide range of audiences and disciplines

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in embedded software development, or 3+ years with an M.S. degree
• Experience with embedded software design and programming in C/C++
• Experience with building drivers for custom hardware systems
• Hands-on experience with hardware debugging tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol decoders) and register-level system debugging
• Experience designing firmware solutions from hardware datasheets, including serial protocol (synchronous/asynchronous) interface implementation
• Experience with real-time operating systems (e.g., Zephyr, FreeRTOS, or equivalent)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SoC bring-up (ARM Cortex-A/M, Qualcomm, or similar)
• Experience integrating embedded software with FPGA-based platforms (e.g., soft-core controllers, register interfaces, or co-processor coordination)
• M.S. degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with display subsystem bring-up (display controllers, LED/laser drivers, timing engines)
• Familiarity with video processing concepts (frame timing, color space, display stream compression)
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools to accelerate embedded software workflows
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize workflows and drive measurable impact
• Experience in research or prototyping environments where requirements evolve rapidly
• Experience working effectively with cross-site and cross-functional teams
• Experience with display interfaces and protocols (MIPI DSI/DPHY, DisplayPort, LVDS/OpenLDI)
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies