Pickle is on the hunt for a dynamic and driven Senior Firmware Engineer - Safety Systems for our Firmware team to help us revolutionize the future of warehouse automation. This role serves as the crucial link between safety-critical hardware components and Pickle Robot's high-level system platform, with a specialized focus on implementing and maintaining safety features that protect both our revolutionary material-handling robots and the humans who work alongside them. Responsibilities include configuring and programming safety PLCs, safety-rated motor controllers, and emergency stop systems, as well as working within a substantial object-oriented application written in Python.
Your contributions will directly impact the safety, efficiency, and reliability of Pickle's revolutionary material-handling robots. A strong understanding of both complex low-level software design principles, SOLID object oriented principles, and safety-critical firmware development will be critical to success in this role.
What You'll Accomplish
- Design and implement safety-critical firmware for emergency stop systems, collision avoidance mechanisms, and safety interlocks using safety-rated PLCs and controllers.
- Characterize various safety peripherals and sensors to maximize the performance and reliability of safety interfaces in vendor-specific programming languages, whether that is C, C++, Python, structured text, or ladder logic.
- Collaborate with hardware, software, and safety teams to define safety-critical interfaces and ensure seamless integration of safety components.
- Design and implement robust safety peripheral APIs into Pickle's platform in Python, ensuring fail-safe operation and adherence to safety standards.
- Develop and maintain safety-rated communication protocols between safety systems and the main robotic platform via PROFIsafe, CIP Safety, Modbus TCP Safety, and other safety communication standards.
- Create comprehensive test harnesses and debugging tools specifically focused on verifying the reliability and safety performance of safety-critical firmware.
- Ensure firmware compliance with relevant safety standards such as ISO 13849, IEC 62046, ANSI B11, and ANSI RIA R15.
Who You Are
- 6+ years of professional experience in firmware development with significant focus on safety-critical systems, writing and maintaining C/C++/Python code for safety PLCs, safety-rated motor control, emergency stop systems, and real-time safety control loops.
- Proven experience implementing safety communications between peripheral devices and safety systems via PROFIsafe, CIP Safety, CAN Safety, Ethernet/IP Safety, and other safety-rated protocols.
- Deep knowledge of safety standards such as ISO 13849, IEC 62046, ANSI B11, ANSI RIA R15, and their application to firmware development for industrial automation.
- A high level of proficiency in developing safety-critical applications with Python is strongly desired, along with demonstrable expertise in safety-rated programming languages and object-oriented programming principles.
- Extensive experience with safety-rated real-time operating systems (RTOS), safety PLCs, safety microcontrollers, and embedded development tools for safety-critical applications.
- Understanding of functional safety principles, safety integrity levels (SIL), performance levels (PL), and safety lifecycle management as applied to firmware development.
- Experience with safety validation methodologies, including formal verification techniques for safety-critical firmware.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
- Detail-oriented, systematic problem-solver, and a passion for robotics and innovation.
- You'll need to be on-site enough to make efficient use of the hardware and validate safety systems in real operational conditions.
- Willing to work at least 4 days per week at our offices in Charlestown, Massachusetts.
- Working with the robots in a warehouse setting is expected.
- A Bachelor or Master degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience, with preferred additional certification in functional safety or safety-critical systems development.
Pickle provides best-in-class benefits including health, dental, & vision insurance; unlimited vacation, along with all federal and state holidays; 401K contributions of 5% your salary, travel supplies, and other items to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive.
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