Pickle Robot Company

Senior Firmware Engineer - Safety Systems

Pickle Robot Company

full-time

Posted on:

Origin:  • 🇺🇸 United States • Massachusetts

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Job Level

Senior

Tech Stack

PythonRTOS

About the 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.

Requirements

  • 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.