Founded in 2011 by Stanford entrepreneurs Monisha Perkash, Charles Wang and Andrew Chang, and cited by multiple tech publications as a wearable startup to watch,
Lumo Bodytech’s technology platform leverages smart sensors and software to optimize performance and address human biomechanics through real-time tracking of body movement. Headquartered in Palo Alto, the company has 30 employees, half of whom work specifically on the core technology. Open positions include Algorithms Engineers, Mobile Developers, Data Scientists and QA/Test Engineers. Andrew Chang, Lumo Bodytech’s CTO and co-founder, says that, in order to maintain a great user experience for their products, they want team members to have expertise in all types of technology. “This includes hardware, sensors, firmware, software (application and user experience design), cloud, and data science,” he said, adding that, while candidates need to be highly accomplished in their own specialization, they also must work well with those in other technology areas in order to seamlessly integrate hardware and software components. According to Chang, required skills for Engineers, Developers and Data Scientists include:
- BS degree or higher in Math, Computer Science or Physics
- Strong fluency in C/C++, MATLABS, and designing and building machine learning algorithms in C/C++
- Objective-C programming and app development on iOS
- Embedded systems programming on small-footprint and low-power systems
- Knowledge of digital signal processing
- Ability to analyze large amounts of data
- Familiarity with algorithm optimization
For QA/Test Engineers, desired skills include:
- BS/BA degree in Computer Science (or equivalent)
- Ability to identify issues in complex systems
- Experience in writing scripts and frameworks for verification, acceptance, unit testing or automation
- Experience in one or more mobile app test automation frameworks
- Strong CS fundamentals.
In addition, prized candidates will have extensive knowledge of Java programming and app development on Android, CouchDB, and various scripting languages such as Perl and Python.
The Application Process
Because the company is small, the interview process is nimble. It starts off with a “general” phone interview, followed by a technical phone interview and two rounds of in-person interviews. In contrast to other firms, which expect candidates to interview “blind,” the company provides candidates with a list of suggestions on how to prepare for each stage of the application process. But that doesn’t mean candidates shouldn’t engage in their own research into the company and its technology.
What Makes a Good Fit?
“Everyone at Lumo Bodytech is passionate about changing the world for the better through technology,” Chang said. “Because we are a small team, our employees can directly see the impact of the work they do. They are very close to the technology.” Chang stressed that the company greatly values the business and personal benefits of diversity. The team is comprised of about 50/50 men and women (including the technical team), and their employees hail from many different cultures and countries.
Advice for Experienced Professionals
“To stand out from other qualified candidates, it's having the fire in their belly to want to make a difference, take on new challenges and risks,” Chang added. “Have the skills we desire, the right attitude and passion for the role you are wanting, show us what they can bring to the team and why you want to join.” The referral of a Lumo Bodytech employee can go a long way. So can telling stories of goals achieved despite long odds.
Advice for New Graduates
If you’ve created any kind of application or solved a big problem by creating a group, program or website, the company wants to know about it. Internships and volunteer projects can likewise have a positive impact on the application process.
