Embedded Software Technical Lead

About R-Zero

R-Zero offers smart building technology that delivers real‑time occupancy and energy insights, helping buildings reduce energy costs, improve net operating income, and increase asset value. Its occupancy‑based demand control ventilation solutions include IAQ and comfort monitoring, high‑efficiency HVAC filtration, space utilization sensors, occupancy‑based building controls, and real‑estate performance analytics. The intuitive, secure, and scalable platform enables owners, operators, and tenants to cut operating expenses and carbon emissions with zero upfront costs.

We are looking for an experienced embedded software developer who wants to shape technical strategy, solve complex problems, and drive business forward. This role offers breadth and ownership, working across the full embedded stack—from firmware to edge‑ML to embedded Linux—while making critical architectural decisions, managing teams, and influencing product direction.

• Design and implement embedded software solutions across our technology stack
• Define technical strategy and make architectural decisions that shape our product roadmap
• Lead distributed teams of contractors to extend our capabilities
• Establish repeatable processes to help us move from startup to scale: automated testing frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment processes
• Provide technical leadership while staying hands‑on with code
• Collaborate with field teams to support deployed systems and inform future development
• Bridge technical and business conversations, translating complex constraints into strategic opportunities

Experience:

• 8+ years in technical software development, with deep embedded systems expertise
• 2+ years leading technical teams in a hands‑on capacity
• Built, shipped, and supported multiple embedded products
• Track record in both large organizations and startup environments
• Experience working with the Software team on hybrid projects
• End‑to‑end embedded development experience, including test automation, CI/CD, and field support

Technical

Skills:

• Expert level software development in C, C++ or Rust
• Strong foundation in embedded Linux
• Proficiency with higher‑level languages (we use Node.js for parts of our stack)
• Experience with edge ML is a plus
• Smart building experience is a plus

How you work:

• Ownership – You see problems as yours to solve and take initiative without waiting for someone to ask
• Scrappiness – Make daily progress on the things that matter to customers and ignore the rest
• Collaborative Leadership – Elevate the people around you, build consensus, and lead through influence as much as authority

Most senior positions ask you to specialize. This one asks you to integrate. You’ll touch every part of our embedded ecosystem, influence decisions across the company, and have genuine impact on our trajectory—an opportunity for those energized by variety, ownership, and the chance to build something significant.

$145,000—$200,000 USD

• Generous time‑off policies and paid holidays
• Competitive total compensation with equity
• Health benefits (medical, dental, vision) and 401(k) program starting on day one
• Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Monthly stipend to support home internet and cell phone for work purposes
• Budget for WFH equipment
• Monthly in‑office lunches and happy hours for people based in the SF Bay Area
• Learning and development support
• Hybrid work environment with only 1–2 mandatory days per month in office for people based in the SF Bay Area

R-Zero is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply at R-Zero and we strive to select the best qualified applicant for each position in our organization. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

R-Zero complies with all laws and regulations relating to employment discrimination and is always committed to doing what’s right.