Kink
Firmware Engineer
Kink, San Francisco, California, United States
This role will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the firmware that powers our innovative E-Stim Power Box by Kink. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring seamless communication between our hardware devices, Next.js web platform, and iOS/Android mobile apps. Working closely with hardware engineers, mobile developers, and product designers, you will create an exceptional user experience that blends cutting-edge technology with safety, responsiveness, and reliability. GOALS: Take full ownership of the design, implementation and completion of the embedded firmware projects, targeting the E-Stim Power Box by Kink initially. Develop and optimize firmware for seamless integration with our web and mobile platforms. Enable reliable and secure wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) for remote device control. Implement safety-critical features to ensure user security and safety during live sessions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align firmware capabilities with app features and backend systems. Ensure robust performance and responsiveness of real-time control algorithms. Key KPIs: Firmware stability, communication latency, safety compliance, and alignment with product release cycles. RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop and maintain firmware architecture for the E-Stim Power Box, ensuring user safety and secure communication with web and mobile platforms. Implement and optimize the usage of the wireless protocols (Bluetooth/BLE, Wi-Fi) for remote control and real-time responsiveness. Collaborate with backend and mobile development teams to align firmware APIs and integration workflows. Debug and troubleshoot firmware, hardware, and application-level issues. Design and execute test plans to validate firmware performance and safety standards. Implement OTA (Over-The-Air) updates for seamless firmware delivery. Document firmware architecture, communication protocols, and key workflows. Stay current with best practices in IoT security/safety and real-time embedded systems design. Participate in product development meetings and provide insights on firmware-related constraints and opportunities. QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS: 5 years of experience in firmware development for embedded systems. Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded programming. Experience with wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth/BLE, Wi-Fi). Experience with RTOS (Real-Time Operating Systems) and microcontroller platforms (STM32, ESP32, ARM Cortex-M) and associated design choices (such as multi-threading, memory layouts and file systems). Solid understanding and application of coding best practices, board bring up and debugging (JTAG, SWD, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers). Experience with common bus protocols such as USB, SPI, and I2C. Solid understanding of secure communication protocols (e.g., SSL/TLS) and IoT security best practices. Experience integrating firmware with cloud-based APIs and mobile applications. Familiarity with OTA updates for embedded systems. Proficiency in version control systems (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines for firmware deployment. Strong problem-solving skills and experience troubleshooting complex hardware-software interactions. Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Understanding of electrical components, circuit layouts and PCB best practices, ability to identify hardware issues (placement and soldering problems). Experience with signal processing algorithms for waveform generation and modulation. Experience with development of electrostimulation devices, including TENS, EMS, tri-stim, violet wand. Background in safety-critical firmware development. Familiarity with IoT cloud platforms (e.g., AWS IoT, Azure IoT Hub). Knowledge of real-time communication protocols (e.g., WebSockets). Previous experience with OTA firmware deployment pipelines. ABOUT RED SYSTEM VENTURES LLC Red System Ventures was started in 2019 by Peter Acworth. Peter has passed control of https://www.linkedin.com/redir/general-malware-page?urlkink%2ecom to a management team in Las Vegas to free time to launch this endeavor. Red System Ventures seeks to make sex toys that should exist but don’t. We are investing heavily in new product development and aim to be the leader in innovative, internet connected toys. Culture: we are fascinated by sex toys and work tirelessly. We are excited by the trajectory which includes remote control of toys and integration with our clips site KinkyClips.com, https://www.linkedin.com/redir/general-malware-page?urlKink%2ecom itself, and syncing of toys to movies. Here are examples of our latest projects: https://kinkstore.com/collections/new-in. HOW TO APPLY Please send a resume to jobshttps://www.linkedin.com/redir/general-malware-page?urlkink%2ecom. Please also send a note as to why you think you would be a good fit and what motivated you to apply. Thank you