Senior Embedded Systems Engineer (Project-Based Role)

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Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are! 

We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration.  Our Vision is to be the world’s leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world.  

We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of: 

• Collaborative Creativity: We believe the act of creating together amplifies possibilities.

• Provocative Playfulness:  We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery.

• Outsiders Welcome: We are all outsiders at heart, and we create space for everyone to feel like they belong.

• Authentic Compassion: We are “kind punks” - supportive to each other and standing up for what we believe in.

• Audacious Courage: We have the courage to radically reinvent ourselves to push the boundaries of art.

If this all sounds like YOU, read on….

Job Description:

Job Disclosures:

Project-Based Role: This is a project-based position with an anticipated duration of 12+ months

Location: This role is Remote-eligible provided the candidate lives within one of the following markets: Santa Fe NM, Denver CO, Las Vegas NV, Dallas TX, Houston TX, Los Angeles CA, New York City NY.

Compensation: The base salary for this position starts at $112,450. Compensation may vary is based on location and experience.  

Deadline: 

The deadline for submitting applications for this position is October 24, 2025. Meow Wolf reserves the right to extend this deadline if needed.

Job Summary:

As part of our ongoing efforts to standardize and streamline the design and deployment of interactive and technical art systems the Senior Embedded Systems Engineer will act as a bridge and cross-polinator between various disciplines and departments at Meow Wolf. This position will also develop a comprehensive QA/QC process for the tech fab team to follow after component assembly to ensure proper functionality before hand-off for integration.

In this key role, you will bridge multiple technical disciplines, ensuring a cohesive process that accelerates development timelines while helping to build Meow Wolf’s growing tech IP. You’ll collaborate across teams—ranging from technical fabrication and creative engineering to technical direction and sustainment—to design, develop, and maintain a unified, modular embedded systems infrastructure. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our interactive technology while solving complex, creative challenges in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Additionally, as a Senior Game Engineer, you’ll develop in-house games, mentor others in the game development process, and play a pivotal role in shaping the technical direction of their integration into the Meow Wolf ecosystem. Your extensive experience and technical expertise will be essential in delivering exceptional gaming experiences.

Job Responsibilities

• Drive strategies that ensure stability and efficiency within custom embedded systems

• Design, maintain, and develop custom embedded systems, including microcontroller-based boards (e.g., Arduino, Teensy, ESP32) 

• Design, maintain, and develop custom embedded systems firmware for interactive exhibits.

• Develop tools to improve reusability across projects. 

• Design and implement QA processes to ensure all internally assembled PCBs meet performance standards before integration.

• Establish and enforce software standards across the embedded systems, ensuring that firmware is network-ready and that show system controls (e.g., watchdog timers, state management) are properly implemented.

• Collaborate across AD&P, Tech Fab, Show Systems and Creative Technology to ensure reliability, stability, and flexibility of embedded systems.

• Participate in system-level design, proof of concept creation, product and platform development execution, technical documentation, and testing across the entire product life cycle. 

• Define design rules, apply them to the constraint manager, design within limits, create artworks, fabrication and assembly documentation, and verify designs prior to release.

• Collaborate across departments to ensure reliability, stability, and flexibility of embedded systems using systems such as OTA (Over-The-Air) firmware updates and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD). 

• Design and implement QA processes to ensure all internally assembled PCBs meet performance standards

• Help define and protect Meow Wolf’s growing tech IP through the development of proprietary solutions.

• Define and develop a process towards patents, products, and software that support diversification of Meow Wolf’s IP and products.

• Coding visual elements and game mechanics using game development frameworks and engines including Godot, Phaser.js, Unreal Engine, and others.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including game designers, developers, producers, creative directors, artists, sound engineers and testers to achieve a unified, cohesive gaming experience.

• Coordinating with external developers to ensure compliance with internal requirements including Nakama integration and show systems control.

• Making critical decisions about game architecture, design, and technology stack, ensuring alignment with project goals.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of PCB design using Kicad.

• 10+ years of C/C++ programming with experience in microcontroller and embedded system design and development.

• 10+ years HTML5. 10+ years of Javascript programming experience.

• Experience in modern high-volume, real-time combined hardware/software system development in relevant markets (e.g. consumer electronics, robotics, medical device, automotive, or similar).

• Expert in low-power microcontroller architecture, operation, common peripherals (UART, PWM, I2C, etc.), drivers, and firmware development workflow.

• 5+ years experience in designing quality multi-layer, high density designs with careful consideration of analog, RF, high speed, and/or power circuits.

• Experience with the git revision control system and CI/CD techniques.

• Experience with network protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, OSC) and their implementations.

• Experience with lab instrumentation such as oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.

• Collaborative approach with well-balanced people skills.

• Strong capabilities in creative technical problem solving in modern embedded systems 

• Work experience in multi-year exhibition development through all major project phases.

• Experience working with both artists and contractors to deliver large-scale projects.

• Experience in collaborating with other disciplines to develop low-level communication protocols.

• Expert in designing and executing interactive designs or systems.

• Experience developing and maintaining systems documentation.

• Solid understanding of game design principles.

• Extensive experience in game development, with a track record of contributing to multiple shipped titles.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required.  

Work Environment:

This position works primarily in an indoor setting with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects including strobing lights, special effects, fog machines and small and/ or enclosed spaces. This job also operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical ability to walk, stand, take stairs/slides/elevators, and navigate the elements during the day and night. Employee may be required to remain in a sitting or standing position for prolonged periods, and repeat motions that may  include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.   Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.

The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule:

This is a full time position with a flexible schedule which includes weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position does not require supervisory responsibility.

Travel:

Travel is required for this position.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IMPACT: Meow Wolf is committed to our DIY roots and grassroots community support principles. To document that commitment, we converted our legal designation into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation and have certified as a B Corporation. As a B Corp, we have a triple bottom line of supporting financial, social and environmental wellbeing in our community.

INCLUSION:  Meow Wolf is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy and thrive in a work environment where differences make us the vibrant, wonderful community we are! All employment decisions at Meow Wolf are based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

BENEFITS:

The choices we make concerning our benefits during enrollment periods are among the most important we select for ourselves and our families. As part of the total compensation package for full-time employees, Meow Wolf offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various options to meet individual healthcare and financial needs along with many perks.  

• Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP*

• Dental and Vision Insurance*

• HSA, HRA, and FSA options*

• 401k Retirement Plan

• Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s)*

• Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies*

• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks

• Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes

• Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests

*Regular or Project Based Full-time positions

Please visit www.meowwolf.com/careers for more information.