Senior Embedded Software Engineer

PLD Space; Elche; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible work schedule

23 days of paid vacation plus December

Restaurant tickets

Transport contributions

Training support

Childcare contributions

Job summary

PLD Space is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our Space Systems engineering team. You will design, develop, and validate embedded software for next-generation space missions, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust, high-reliability software that meets aerospace requirements.

You will contribute to system architecture, develop drivers and BSPs, ensure compliance with ECSS/DO-178C, and support certification activities across the full development lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of embedded software development experience, preferably in aerospace or safety-critical industries.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++11 for embedded systems.
• Experience with RTOS such as PikeOS, VxWorks, RTEMS, or similar.
• Deep understanding of microcontrollers, microprocessors, and SoC architectures (ARM, RISC‑V).
• Experience with communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, UDP, TSN).
• Proficiency in debugging tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD.
• Familiarity with software development processes for high-reliability systems (ECSS, DO‑178C).
• Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize embedded software for spaceborne systems and subsystems.
• Develop low-level drivers, BSPs, and real-time control software.
• Participate in system architecture definition and hardware–software co-design.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards and mission-critical reliability requirements.
• Perform integration, debugging, and validation on target hardware and simulators.
• Mentor junior engineers and conduct code reviews.
• Collaborate with systems, FPGA, hardware, and test engineering teams throughout the lifecycle.
• Support documentation, verification, and certification activities for space missions.

Skills

C/C++11

RTOS

ARM/RISC-V

Debugging tools

Git/CI/CD

SPI/I2C/UART/CAN

Tools

JTAG/SWD

Job description

About PLD Space:

PLD Space is an international space services company with in-house engineering and manufacturing. It is dedicated to transporting satellites and humansinto space, vertically integrating engineering, testing, manufacturing and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Headquartered in Elche (Spain) and founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space has established itself as a global benchmark in the space launcher sector. Its MIURA family of launchers and its LINCE manned capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty in space transportation, covering the full range of space missions.

With a team of more than 400 employees and 220 million in total funding, PLD Space also has the largest private test benches in Europe, located in Teruel (Spain), and operates two launch bases: El Arenosillo, in Huelva (Spain); and the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), in Kourou (French Guiana). In total, it has more than 188,000m2 of industrial infrastructures under management.

Teamwork, courage, determination and ambition enable PLD Space to guarantee an autonomous, independent satellite space access capability, based on reliability at a globally competitive price. The company is able to offer best-in‑class launch services to commercial satellite operators, institutions, space agencies and national and international governmental entities.

Mission

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our Space Systems engineering team. In this role, you will design, develop, and validate embedded software for next-generation space missions. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust, high‑reliability software that meets the stringent requirements of the aerospace environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize embedded software for spaceborne systems and subsystems.
• Develop low-level drivers, board support packages (BSPs), and real-time control software.
• Participate in system architecture definition and contribute to hardware–software co‑design.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards, coding guidelines, and mission‑critical reliability requirements.
• Perform integration, debugging, and validation on target hardware and simulators.
• Conduct code reviews, contribute to continuous improvement, and mentor junior engineers.
• Collaborate with systems, FPGA, hardware, and test engineering teams throughout the full development lifecycle.
• Support documentation, verification, and certification activities for space missions.

Necessary Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in embedded software development, ideally in aerospace, defense, or other safety‑critical industries.
• Strong proficiency in C & C++11 for embedded systems.
• Solid experience with real‑time operating systems (RTOS) such as PikeOS, VxWorks, RTEMS, or similar.
• Deep understanding of microcontrollers, microprocessors, and SoC architectures (ARM, RISC‑V, etc.).
• Experience with communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, RS485, UDP, TSN etc.).
• Proficiency in debugging tools, oscilloscopes, logic analysers, and JTAG/SWD.
• Familiarity with software development processes for high‑reliability systems (ECSS, DO‑178C, or similar).
• Experience with version control systems (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work independently and in cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills and a proactive, ownership driven mindset.

Desired Requirements

• Experience with flight software, satellite subsystems, or space mission development.
• Knowledge of fault‑tolerant architectures, redundancy management, and radiation‑hardened systems.
• Experience with simulation tools, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, or data processing.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink for modelling, simulation, and algorithm development.
• Familiarity with Clean Architecture or similar software architecture principles for high‑reliability systems.
• Professional experience with Rust in embedded or systems‑level development.
• Strong background in unit testing, test automation, and verification methodologies for mission‑critical software.

Benefits

Health& Wellness

• Physiotherapywithin our facilities
• 50%discount on your health insurance
• Youcan sign-up your family members with health insurance at a competitive price.
• Healthysnacks and lots of fruit

Findbalance

• 23 days of paid vacation plusDecember 24th and 31st
• Flexible work schedule

Neverstop learning

• We encourage practical learning
• We promote professional developmentthrough internal mobility and teamwork

Focuson your financial future

• Childcare flexible contributions
• Restaurant tickets
• Transport flexible contributions
• Training support

Values

Wehave five critical beliefs that guide the way PLD Space is shaping the futureof space launch technologies.

• Teamwork.
• Hardwork.
• Dynamism.
• Commitment.
• Keepit simple.

Joinus to reinvent how rockets are built!