Software Engineer

About the role

This is an onsite role in Redmond, requiring a maximum bill rate that is hourly. We are seeking a candidate to support the development of visual perceptual quality software for embedded AR/VR devices. The role involves modifying device firmware, building and maintaining test infrastructure, writing automated and manual tests, and collaborating closely with engineering teams to ensure display and graphics pipelines meet rigorous perceptual quality standards. This position spans low-level firmware through application-level tooling, requiring strong systems thinking and a quality-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and modify device firmware (C/C++) to support visual perceptual quality features across computer vision, graphics, and display pipelines.
• Design, implement, and maintain test infrastructure for evaluating perceptual quality metrics (e.g., latency, quality/accuracy, motion-to-photon).
• Write new tests and maintain existing tests including unit tests, integration tests, manual validation procedures, and CI automation.
• Debug issues across the full software stack—from hardware bring-up and driver-level defects through application-layer rendering—providing both quick workarounds for time-critical issues and long-term solutions.
• Develop optimized firmware and software utilities targeting embedded environments, with portability across processors and platforms.
• Integrate platform-level features where applicable.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve and tailor existing firmware, device drivers, and applications to project requirements.
• Create clean, well-documented, and testable code; contribute to CI/CD build scripts and automation pipelines as needed.
• Document designs, tradeoffs, test methodologies, and results for cross-functional stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5 years of industry experience developing and testing low-level firmware or systems software for embedded platforms.
• 5 years of solid programming skills in C and C++, with experience writing production firmware and test applications.
• Experience with the full software development lifecycle: requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and delivery.
• Experience building reusable test frameworks, harnesses, or infrastructure for hardware-in-the-loop or perceptual quality validation.
• Demonstrated debugging skills across complex software/hardware stacks (graphics, display, or sensor pipelines preferred).
• Experience with RTOS and developing multi-threaded or real-time applications.
• Experience with CI/CD development tools and processes.
• Scripting skills using Python or similar languages for developing utilities and test automation.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a relevant field.

Skills

• Experience with computer vision, graphics, and display systems.
• Understanding of visual/perceptual quality metrics and measurement methodologies (e.g., JND, SSIM, flicker thresholds, motion-to-photon latency).
• Experience with AR/VR display technologies and associated performance constraints.
• Android platform experience (NDK, JNI, HAL) or low-level platform integration.
• Familiarity with image/video quality assessment tools or development of custom measurement utilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work independently and manage priorities.

Pay

The pay rate for this role is $82.00 - $85.00 per hour. Non-exempt positions are eligible for overtime at a rate of 1.5 times the base hourly rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a work week, or as required by state or local law.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Health savings accounts with qualified medical plan enrollment.
• 10 paid days off and 3 days paid bereavement leave.
• 401(k) plan participation with employer match.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Dependent care flexible spending account.
• Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Discretionary performance or recognition bonus.
• Sick leave and mobile phone reimbursement provided based on state or local law.