AMERICAN DROID, LLC Embedded Systems Engineer – Robotic Solutions New Bern, NC · Full time Company website
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American Droid is building a new generation of American-made robotic systems for defense and civilian applications. We are at the very beginning of our growth curve—and we are looking for builders. This is an opportunity to join the ground floor of a start-up creating advanced robotic manipulation systems and teleoperated solutions. We are seeking an Embedded Systems Engineer to join our early team and take full ownership of the electrical hardware and low-level firmware that power our robotic systems. This role spans motor controllers, power systems, communication boards, and embedded software — from conceptual PCB layouts to real-time control firmware. You will define electrical requirements, develop firmware for motor control and sensor feedback loops, implement safety features, create calibration tools, and perform bench testing and integration. You will work closely with the robotics software engineer to ensure seamless performance from low-level firmware up to higher-level ROS control. This is a high-impact role with no handholding. Candidates must be self-directed, technically strong across both hardware and firmware, capable of independently solving complex problems, and thrive in an early-stage start-up environment. If you want to build something that matters, influence major design decisions, and leave your fingerprints on the foundation of an emerging robotics company, this is that role.

About AMERICAN DROID, LLC

Our mission is building American-made robotic solutions, subsystems, and components for U.S. public service, Veteran healthcare, and military use. We focus on high-demand, niche applications often overlooked by commercial industry, creating systems that perform in real-world conditions and directly support America’s public service operators. From our home base in New Bern, North Carolina, we serve public sector customers and partners across the United States. We’re proud to be part of a community shaped by military service, rural industry, and a strong work ethic—and we bring that spirit into every project.

Description

We are seeking a capable Embedded Systems Engineer to independently design and develop both the electrical hardware and firmware for advanced robotic solutions. This role combines motor controllers, power systems, communication boards, and low-level embedded software. You will define requirements, create technical solutions, solve problems, and deliver working prototypes with minimal supervision.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Define electrical requirements and select components for motor controllers, power delivery, and communication systems.
  • Develop conceptual PCB layouts for motor control boards and integrate them with the mechanical CAD model to ensure proper fit and wire routing.
  • Design and implement low-level firmware (C/C++) for motor control, sensor feedback loops, safety features (overcurrent, thermal protection), and real-time operation.
  • Write embedded software for power and communication boards, including USB/serial protocols, error handling, and diagnostics.
  • Create calibration tools and software for tuning motor parameters, minimizing latency, and optimizing performance.
  • Perform bench testing, debugging, and integration of custom circuit boards, firmware, and communication systems.
  • Independently solve technical challenges across hardware and firmware to deliver reliable, compact electronics for robotic solutions.


Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience developing embedded systems that combine hardware and firmware (motor control or electromechanical systems preferred).
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ for microcontrollers (STM32, ARM, or similar).
  • Practical experience with motor drivers, power electronics, sensor integration, and communication protocols (USB, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN).
  • Ability to work with basic PCB layouts, read schematics, and integrate electronics with mechanical designs.
  • Skilled at bench testing, debugging, and problem-solving with lab equipment (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, etc.).
  • Self-starter capable of independently designing solutions and driving development from concept to working hardware.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with robotics or mechatronic systems.
  • Familiarity with real-time control, PID loops, and safety-critical firmware.
  • Exposure to integrating PCBs into tight mechanical enclosures.


Other Information


As robotics start-up, we are building from the ground up. Current compensation is a starting point, and benefits are not yet established — but we’re creating something bigger: a company that designs and builds leading American-made robotic systems for real-world missions.


As we grow, compensation, benefits, and opportunity grow with us.


Full-time position in New Bern, NC (less than 2 hours from Raleigh, NC). 


U.S. citizens only. Must be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance and comply with ITAR/EAR export control requirements.


We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply.


This is a hands-on role ideal for someone who enjoys owning the full embedded system (hardware + firmware) and delivering results with limited external support.

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