As the first firmware hire, you will own the entire embedded software platform for Alpha Machines’ propulsion systems. You’ll architect the RTOS, hardware abstraction layer, and bootloaders while bridging the gap between Simulink control models and real-time execution. Your work ensures reliability and performance in safety-critical applications across aerospace and robotics.
Founding Firmware Engineer at Alpha Machines
Alpha Machines is re-industrializing Europe by building the power electronics infrastructure for the physical AI economy. As their Founding Firmware Engineer, you'll join a team of repeat unicorn founders to own the entire embedded software platform—from RTOS and HAL to the Simulink-to-C toolchain. This is a rare opportunity to architect the firmware for aerospace and defense propulsion systems from the ground up. If you are a builder who thrives at the hardware-software boundary and wants to see your code drive physical machines, this founding-team role with meaningful equity is for you.
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Location
London, United Kingdom
Compensation
£80k-£120k + Equity
Company
Alpha Machines
Role overview
AI for Manufacturing
Alpha Machines is building critical infrastructure for the physical AI economy. We are a team of engineers, builders and repeat (unicorn) founders, who believe that the moment has come for Europe to re-industrialise
What you will do
- Architect and own the complete embedded firmware platform, including RTOS integration, hardware abstraction layers, and secure bootloaders for ARM Cortex-M targets.
- Implement deterministic communication stacks for CAN, DroneCAN, and SPI, ensuring high-reliability data transfer and fault tolerance for safety-critical drone applications.
- Develop the code generation toolchain using Embedded Coder to translate complex MATLAB/Simulink control models into high-performance, deployed embedded C/C++ firmware.
Who this is a fit for
- Has 5+ years of experience building RTOS-based embedded platforms from hardware bring-up through production, with deep proficiency in ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
- Demonstrates expert-level mastery of embedded C/C++, interrupt-driven architectures, and peripheral driver development for resource-constrained environments.
- Possesses hands-on hardware expertise, including reading schematics and using oscilloscopes, combined with experience in model-based design toolchains like Simulink and Embedded Coder.
Why this role is remarkable
- Join a high-pedigree founding team of repeat unicorn founders as the first embedded software hire, gaining massive ownership over the firmware architecture and stack.
- Work on mission-critical hardware where your code directly drives physical systems in aerospace and defense, contributing to the re-industrialization of Europe.
- Receive a significant founding-team equity stake in a well-funded startup building the fundamental infrastructure for the next generation of physical AI.
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I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
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Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If your profile’s a match and Alpha Machines wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.