Firmware Engineer

TL;DR – We’re building humanity’s defense layer for the AI age and are looking for a Firmware Engineer to build systems that operate in real environments and survive contact with reality.

If you would have joined Nest before connected devices became commonplace - or Figure AI before humanoids left the lab - to build the firmware that made them trustworthy, this is that role.

Why Sweep? As intelligent machines proliferate into every part of the physical world, we humans still lack a defense layer to ensure the systems and devices we rely on remain aligned with us. We’re building that layer today by deploying alongside the world’s highest-stakes teams - Olympic delegations, F1 paddocks, halftime shows, global tours, studio productions, senior government officials, and executive protection units. What we learn there becomes the foundation for a civilization-defining capability. We’re a small, talent-dense team with high ownership, high velocity, and low ego. We care deeply, move fast, and are here to build something that outlasts us. Together, we’ll redefine cyber-physical security for the AI age.

What makes this role special?

• One of the first 10 engineers shaping hardware systems pre-Series A.
• Own firmware that leaves the lab and operates in some of the world’s highest-stakes environments.
• Work directly with the hardware lead across EE, firmware, and embedded systems.
• Operate in environments where hardware decisions have immediate consequences.
• Partner with RF, ML, and product teams to deliver integrated systems.
• Define the trust boundary between hardware and software.

What we’re looking for...

• 3–6 years writing systems-level firmware for embedded targets with real depth, not glue code on top of HALs
• Strong command of C with the ability to adopt new systems languages (Rust, Zig, C++) when appropriate.
• Proven background in red teaming, offensive security research, or adversarial testing targeting embedded systems and physical hardware.
• Reasons about trust boundaries, failure modes, and adversarial inputs before they become vulnerabilities.
• Thrived in an early-stage startup.
• Comfortable operating without perfect specs or complete information.
• U.S. Person status required (may involve export-controlled data).

Bonus if you’ve...

• Shipped firmware on microcontrollers and OS-based embedded systems.
• Written firmware for systems with secure boot, verified OTA, or hardware-enforced trust boundaries
• Done RF/SDR-adjacent work or integrated wireless radios at the firmware layer
• Maintained embedded Linux systems (custom rootfs, systemd services, power management)
• Held a security certification or contributed to a CVE, hardware CTF, or published security research.

What you’ll do...

• Own firmware across RTOS, embedded Linux, wireless radios, GPS, and custom embedded hardware.
• Write and maintain system daemons and firmware modules with strict fault isolation
• Own secure boot and verified firmware update pipelines end-to-end
• Conduct adversarial review of firmware attack surfaces (e.g. USB, BLE, UART, OTA) and close what you find
• Partner with RF and ML teams on high-throughput signal capture and real-time processing pipelines.
• Build and maintain hardware validation tooling; reduce bring-up friction on every successive board spin.

How we select...

• Short application
• 20-minute intro call
• Technical deep-dive
• Practical problem discussion
• References and offer

Final facts. Base salary up to $220,000 depending on qualifications, experience, and impact. Total compensation includes equity, premium insurance, 401(k), flexible PTO, and other individual benefits.

You’ll join us on-site at our HQ in New York City with occasional domestic and global deployments. Apply. Make history. Build humanity’s defense against machines.