Lead Applications Engineer

Efficient is developing the world’s most energy-efficient general-purpose computer processor. Efficient’s patented technology uses 100x less energy than state of the art commercially available ultra-low-power processors and is programmable using standard high-level programming languages and AI/ML frameworks. This level of efficiency makes perpetual, pervasive intelligence possible: run AI/ML continuously on a AA battery for 5-10 years. Our platform’s unprecedented level of efficiency enables IoT devices to intelligently capture and curate first-party data to drive the next major computing revolution

Efficient’s Lead Applications Engineer will manage the day-to-day responsibilities of our applications team, guiding application development for the world’s most energy-efficient programmable processor. They will collaborate across all teams, gathering requirements and information to successfully bring up new silicon. Further they will work closely with the compiler team to implement customer requirements and build optimized libraries and firmware. This position is a unique opportunity to develop applications for cutting-edge hardware as part of a highly interdisciplinary team, helping to demonstrate the value of Efficient’s breakthrough technology.  If you are an engineer who wants to play an integral role on an intensely skilled  team and wants to have an immediate impact building the next generation of energy-efficient embedded applications, this is for you!

Key Responsibilities 

• Manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the embedded engineering team, including: 
  
  • Leading the planning of sprints
  • Creating, rescoping, and keeping track of tasks
  • Assisting in debugging to unblock engineers
• Develop embedded applications using Efficient’s compiler and customer requirements, specifications, and existing code to target Efficient’s processor 
• Validating and measuring the performance and energy of the processor on internal and customer benchmarks 
  • Optimizing code to efficiently target the processor
• Contribute to an embedded TinyML software stack including a library of optimized common machine learning operators
• Work closely with compiler team to test and refine compiler feature set

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Must be an excellent embedded engineer with 7+ years of post-graduate experience OR similar experience with a PhD
• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Engineering or related field required; Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• Prior experience bringing up new silicon or working on new silicon
• Knowledge of computer architecture
• Deep knowledge of at least one embedded platform, such as MSP430, STM32, Ambiq Apollo, PIC32, or similar
• Ability to develop clean, efficient and reusable C/C++ code
• Experience developing and deploying applications under resource constraints
• Experience using non-standard build environments and compiler toolchains, especially for embedded systems
• Experience using industry standard development and debugging tools for embedded development
• Strong attention to detail, good work ethic, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and good communication skills 
• Good problem solving skills; ability to develop solutions and ideas when faced with problems or issues.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

• Proficiency in Python
• Experience building TinyML models and deploying models under severe resource constraints (e.g. limited memory)
• Work performed for government contract customers may at times require U.S. Citizenship

We offer a competitive salary for this role, generally ranging from $180,000 to $220,000, along with meaningful equity and comprehensive benefits. The final compensation package will be based on your experience and location, with some flexibility to ensure we align with the right candidate.

Why Join Efficient?

At Efficient, we do not care about hierarchy—your impact is what matters. If you produce prodigious, high-quality work, you will be recognized and rewarded accordingly. We are a high-trust, high-output team where ownership and autonomy are paramount. If you are looking for a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of high-performance computing, let’s talk.

Efficient offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including 401K match, company-paid benefits, equity program, paid parental leave, and flexibility. We are committed to personal and professional development and strive to grow together as people and as a company.