Senior Firmware Engineer - Safety Systems

About this role: 

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.

• 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.

• 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.

About Pickle Robot

Pickle Robot is a pioneer in Physical AI for supply chain applications. Today Pickle robots autonomously unload trucks, trailers, and import containers at human-scale or better performance. The alternative is manual work that is difficult, dirty, sometimes dangerous, and increasingly hard to staff at distribution centers around the globe. Pickle Robot is laser focused on automating truck unloading using generative AI, machine learning, computer vision, advanced sensors, and industrial robotics to deliver engineered products customers rely on. Pickle Robot Unload Systems work alongside people on loading docks to make the work safer, faster, and more efficient. Pickle robots are physical AI that unload trucks.

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.