Embedded Software Technical Lead San Francisco Bay Area

R-Zero offers smart building technology that delivers real-time occupancy and energy insights, which ultimately helps buildings reduce energy costs, improve net operating income and increase asset value. R-Zero’s 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. R‑Zero’s intuitive, secure and scalable platform enables owners, operators, and their tenants to cut building operating expenses and carbon emissions, with zero upfront costs.

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R‑Zero is a smart, agile company at an exciting inflection point. We are utilizing our IoT experience, and the sensors we have deployed in buildings around the world to slash energy waste and to save our customers millions of dollars. Our sensors and gateways connect our customers’ buildings to the power of modern software infrastructure.

We’re looking for an experienced embedded software developer who’s ready to do more than write great code: someone who wants to shape technical strategy, solve unique and complex problems, and help drive our business forward.

This role offers exceptional breadth and ownership for the right person. You’ll work across our full embedded software stack—from close‑to‑the‑metal firmware to edge‑ML implementations to embedded Linux systems. You’ll make critical architectural decisions, manage augmented teams, influence product direction, and build the cross‑functional processes that will scale with us. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to move beyond narrow specialization and own something meaningful, this is it.

• 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 as needed 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

• 8+ years in technical software development, with deep embedded systems expertise
• 2+ years leading technical teams in a hands‑on capacity
• You have 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
• 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
• Ownership – You see problems as yours to solve and take initiative without waiting for someone to ask
• Scrappiness – R‑Zero is a small company takingents. We need to make daily progress on the things that matter to customers and ignore the rest
• Collaborative Leadership – You 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. For someone energized by variety, ownership, and the chance to build something significant, this is a rare opportunity.

Salary range: $145,000 - $200,000 USD. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, and benefits. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States and a background check is required upon employment.

• 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…