Embedded Software Engineer - Labs, DoorDash Air

About the Team DoorDash Labs, established in 2018, serves as the innovation hub for DoorDash, focusing on developing automation and robotics solutions to enhance last-mile logistics. The team's mission is to create technologies that support and augment human networks, aiming to improve efficiency for Dashers, merchants, and consumers alike. We’re ruthlessly focused on business impact. We are a highly senior team composed of former pioneers from a variety of different robotics industries. As of 2025, DoorDash has completed 10B lifetime deliveries. We’re focused on how to do the next 10B even better. About the Role We are looking for a Senior/Staff Embedded Software Engineer to lead the development and bring-up of ARM-based microcontroller platforms across our robotics products. This is a high-ownership role, directly responsible for building the low-level firmware that powers our platforms. You will design, implement, and validate firmware for motion control, sensor integration, communications, power management, and safety-critical functionality. This role comes with a strong expectation of hands-on board bring-up, low-level debugging, and cross-disciplinary collaboration with electrical and systems engineers. You're excited about this opportunity because you will… Own the firmware bring-up and integration for new embedded platforms (e.g. ARM Cortex-M series). Develop and maintain bare-metal firmware and RTOS-based applications for robotic subsystems (motor control, sensors, telemetry, power systems). Write and maintain robust, maintainable, and well-documented C/C++ code for embedded targets. Collaborate with the electrical engineering team on hardware bring-up, schematic review, and system integration. Lead system bringup, validation, and debug Contribute to firmware safety, reliability, and system-level robustness. We're excited about you because…  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. 8+ years of hands-on experience in embedded systems development. Deep expertise in bare-metal programming on ARM microcontrollers. Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded targets and firmware design patterns. Experience with hardware bring-up and low-level debugging on custom boards. Solid understanding of digital electronics, buses (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN), and embedded peripherals. Strong system-level thinking, with an ability to work independently and take ownership across the full development cycle. Must be comfortable regularly exercising discretion and independent judgment in performing job duties, including evaluating options, making informed decisions, and determining appropriate courses of action within the scope of assigned responsibilities. Preferred Qualifications… Experience with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr) or Embedded Linux on constrained systems. Familiarity with motor control, power systems, or battery management in robotics or automotive contexts. Experience working closely with hardware teams, reading schematics, and performing board-level debug. Familiarity with safety-critical systems, watchdogs, and fault handling. Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments like those found in startups or advanced R&D teams Notice Regarding Use of AI and Automated Tools:  To streamline our hiring process, DoorDash utilizes an automated recruitment tool called Gem. How it works: Gem assists our recruiting team by evaluating job related qualifications and characteristics in connection with hiring. The tool is designed and used to support - rather than replace - human decision-making; trained personnel make final decisions with meaningful human review and oversight, and DoorDash does not use Gem or other AI-enabled tool  in a manner that has the effect of subjecting applicants or employees to discrimination based on any protected characteristic or proxy or for engaging in any protected activity under applicable law. Data Retention, Privacy & Bias Audit: Data collected during this process is retained in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy and applicable state laws. In compliance with New York City Local Law 144, the independent bias audit summary for Gem is publicly available for review at our Careers Page .    Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only We use Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023, and resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024. The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: Covey Compensation The successful candidate’