Senior Embedded Software Engineer; Firmware​/Embedded Linux

Founded in 2020 and based in Silicon Valley, Empo Health is a seed‑funded, VC‑backed, and NSF‑supported startup developing revolutionary in‑home health monitoring products.

Empo Health’s first product, the FDA‑listed Empo Footprint, is an in‑home foot‑imaging scale that helps doctors and patients monitor for early signs of diabetic foot ulcers. By helping them identify foot complications and risk factors before they escalates into more serious issues, Empo's product aims to assist clinicians with preventing amputations and saving lives.

As a critical member of our small, fast‑paced team, you will work closely with the founders and other early team members. You should be comfortable evaluating the execution of existing processes, suggesting new processes, and collaborating across a variety of team functions.

If you’re passionate about remote care and helping prevent the worst outcomes for diabetic patients, then we’d love to hear from you!

• Support and improve our C++ application that controls the actions, appearance and outputs of the Empo Footprint scale. This includes the user space interface to the hardware and use of open source libraries available through Yocto and the open embedded project.
• Design and implement reliable, thread‑safe, multithreaded software components (synchronization, concurrency mechanisms, performance).
• Collaborate closely with Electrical, Mechanical, and Test teams to integrate new hardware features and resolve integration issues.
• Contribute to debugging and resolution of field issues, including reproducing issues, instrumenting code, and delivering fixes.
• Develop and maintain automation, test, and build tooling using Python and/or Bash. Regression test on the app.
• Write/maintain user‑space code in C/C++ and apply strong design principles where appropriate.
• Support manufacturing and bring‑up activities as needed, including hands‑on troubleshooting with lab tools.
• Improve software observability and diagnostics (logging, metrics, traceability, version reporting).
• Participate in code reviews and establish maintainable architecture for long‑term product scalability.
• Contribute to embedded Linux platform work.
• Document software architecture, interfaces, and test strategy to support a regulated medical‑device environment.
• Continue use and support of our 3rd party over‑the‑air software updater and device monitor.

• Have a Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science or a related field.
• Have a minimum of 10 years of direct applicable experience.
• Have a proven record of working as a self‑starter with ownership mentality.
• Have a strong ability to work well with others.
• Possess exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Have served as the lead on similarly scoped firmware projects.
• Have strong C/C++ experience.
• Have contributed heavily to hardware products that have shipped.
• Are comfortable developing on Linux and in embedded environments.
• Have Yocto/Open Embedded (or other embedded Linux) experience.
• Have strong knowledge of multithreading and synchronization.
• Use Python and/or Bash scripting for automation, testing, and build processes.
• Have board bring‑up experience and are comfortable with I2C/SPI/I2S.
• Can operate effectively in a small, fast‑paced team and collaborate cross‑functionally.
• Are able to work onsite as needed in San Bruno to support hardware integration and manufacturing debugging, typically 3 days a week.

• Are familiar with Linux Device Trees.
• Are familiar with the i.MX platform.
• Have project management experience.
• Are comfortable with lab tools such as an oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and multimeter.
• Are experienced with Git.
• Are experienced with factory production and assisting with field issues.
• Have class 1 medical‑device software process familiarity.

• Hybrid‑friendly working environment.
• “Take what you need” vacation and sick leave policy.
• Generous coverage for medical, dental, vision, and mental wellness plans.
• 401(k) retirement plan with 4% match (after employment for 6 months).
• 12 week parental leave + part‑time transition period at full pay (after employment for 12 months).
• Equity incentive options for early full‑time employees.