C Jobs at Worldcoin.org

About the Orb

The Orb—arguably the world’s best iris scanner—is a chrome sphere full of optics, computation (CPUs, GPUs, and microcontrollers), and radios for communication with both smartphones and servers in the Cloud. Microcontrollers run an RTOS at the lowest level communicating with hardware like stepper motors and voltage supplies. The CPU has significant security requirements and has a TEE, but our Rust programs run under Ubuntu. The software in Rust is arguably the "heart" of the Orb, where it communicates with the Cloud, a smartphone app, and microcontroller firmware, hence the optical system (by controlling camera focus, gimbals, multispectral imaging sensors, etc.).

About the Team

The IoT Software team writes Orb software and firmware using Rust, C, and Python. Frequent collaborators include the Hardware (bring-up, manufacturing, adding new sensors, etc.), AI (neural networks controlling the autofocus, etc.), and Cloud teams. IoT Software team members are primarily located in Berlin and San Francisco, although some work remotely.

About the Opportunity

Controlling hardware like motors and current supplies by writing C for microcontrollers on top of an RTOS is a delight for embedded programmers. Worldcoin's Orb takes this delight to the next level by providing novel hardware—in a device that will interact with billions of people! There are the usual beautifully executed user interface LEDs that tastefully ebb and flow. However, a stepper motor-driven gimbal system aims a fully custom optical system that incorporates a liquid lens element that can change focus in milliseconds—and this is fun to program. There are many other notable hardware components inside an Orb and firmware is needed for multiple scenarios ranging from factory bring up through regular field operation. The Orb presents a wide variety of engineering challenges that can be very rewarding to work on.

About You

• Deep knowledge of C, including a detailed understanding of C’s “undefined behaviors”
• Love of IoT devices like the Orb and delight in collaboratively working with hardware people
• A good understanding of security, or at least a strong desire to develop a "security mindset"
• Enjoyment of a fast-paced environment with a lot of action
• Excellent transparency, where you love to share details of what you're working on that range from architecture to implementation
• Admiration for team effort with ambition to take the lead on your own projects
• Excitement for the unknown—you’re always ready to learn something new.