Head of Embedded Software at Peak Energy in Burlingame, CA

Job description

• Peak Energy is looking for a Head of Embedded Software to lead the team building the firmware that runs our gigawatt-scale sodium-ion energy storage systems. This is a hands-on leadership role — you'll manage a team of ~6 embedded and firmware engineers while continuing to contribute directly to critical firmware architecture, safety-critical code paths, and hardware bring-up.
• This is a player-coach role by design. Strong embedded engineering ability is the most important qualification — you need to be someone your team learns from technically, not just someone who runs their calendar. You'll set the technical direction for our embedded stack, own the firmware roadmap end-to-end, and be the person the CTO turns to when there's a hard technical call to make on the embedded side of the ESS platform.
• You'll also own the team: hiring, coaching, career growth, and building a culture of engineering rigor. As Peak scales toward Q1 2027 production at our Sacramento factory, the embedded team's output is directly on the critical path — this is a role with real stakes and real ownership.
• We're open on title and level based on candidate strengths — this role can flex from Principal Embedded Engineer + Team Lead through Director, depending on who we meet. Strong embedded engineering skills are non-negotiable; leadership scope will flex to fit.

Responsibilities

• Set the technical direction and architecture for Peak's embedded software stack across the ESS platform.
• Contribute hands-on to critical firmware code — real-time C++ RTOS-based systems targeting microcontrollers, safety-critical BMS logic, and supervisory control.
• Own the toughest technical calls: architectural choices, safety-case design, RTOS selection, hardware interface design, real-time performance.
• Lead code reviews on high-risk paths; set the coding standards, review process, and development practices the team operates under.
• Drive hardware bring-up, system integration, validation, and field-support engineering alongside your team.
• Represent embedded software in cross-functional forums with electrical, systems, controls, and hardware teams. Push back where the design won't work; propose better alternatives.
• Stay in the code enough that your team respects your judgment. Rough target: ~30–50% IC time.
• Manage a team of ~6 embedded and firmware engineers, including Senior Staff and Staff-level ICs. Own hiring, onboarding, performance, and career growth.
• Set the team's roadmap and delivery cadence. Break the work down, sequence it, and track it — including the tough tradeoffs when priorities shift.
• Build the operating rhythm: standups, sprint planning, retros, on-call rotation, technical decision reviews.
• Grow the team by ~2–3 more hires over the next 12 months. Own the hiring bar and the intake process.
• Coach individual engineers on career growth, tough feedback conversations, and the day-to-day work of getting better.
• Represent the team's work and its constraints to engineering leadership, product, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Live Peak's values in how you lead — speed through focus, mission over self, face the brutal truth, be a good person.

Requirements

• 10-15+ years of professional embedded software engineering experience with a strong track record of hands-on technical contribution to shipping hardware products.
• Deep expertise in real-time embedded firmware — C++, RTOS-based systems, safety-critical or high-reliability applications.
• Experience shipping at least two commercial or industrial hardware products from prototype through production.
• Proven ability to design and evolve embedded software architecture for complex, safety-critical systems (BMS, motor control, automotive, aerospace, medical, or similar).
• 2+ years of prior people management experience — direct reports, performance conversations, hiring decisions.
• Strong debugging skills using debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and related test equipment. You know how to find the bug when the stack trace isn't enough.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Eligible to work in the United States.
• Experience in energy storage, battery management systems, EVs, or other high-reliability, safety-critical hardware products.
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262, IEC 61508, UL 991, or similar).
• Prior experience building an embedded team from small (<5) to mid-scale (10–20) — hiring, onboarding, technical bar-setting.
• Experience with hardware bring-up, validation, and manufacturing test infrastructure.
• Comfort with Linux as a development environment, CMake/Make, Git, GitHub, Docker/Earthly, and modern CI tooling.
• Track record of representing engineering to executive leadership — presenting to CTOs, boards, or customer technical teams.

Skills

Required

• C++
• RTOS-based systems
• Real-time embedded firmware
• Embedded software architecture design
• People management

Benefits

• The salary range for this role is $235,000 – $300,000, with actual pay varying based on work location, experience, and skills. Our competitive benefits package includes flexible time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a strong 401(k) plan, meaningful equity, and many other perks. Join us to thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact in the energy sector.