Embedded Software Engineer

Maxar Technologies; City of Westminster; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as an Embedded Software Developer, where you'll tackle exciting challenges in aerospace technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop robust embedded systems that push the boundaries of innovation. Your work will directly contribute to mission-critical capabilities, ensuring reliable satellite communication and powering autonomous aerospace systems. With opportunities for career growth, generous benefits, and a commitment to diversity, this role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

401K matching

Career growth opportunities

Family-friendly benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Generous time off

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in embedded systems software development.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Hands-on experience with RTOS development.

Responsibilities

• Define and document the architecture of complex embedded systems.
• Develop, integrate, and optimize RTOS solutions for aerospace applications.
• Design and implement networking solutions focusing on industry-standard protocols.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Embedded Systems Development

Real-Time Operating Systems

Networking Protocols

System Architecture Design

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

7+ years of experience in embedded systems development

Tools

VxWorks

FreeRTOS

QNX

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Job description

Please review the job details below.

Maxar Intelligence is a leading provider of secure, precise geospatial insights. Operating the most advanced commercial Earth observation constellation on orbit, we use the power of very high-resolution satellite imagery and AI-powered software platforms to deliver ground truth in near real-time. Our secure products and services empower users to achieve mission success on Earth and in space, helping them keep nations safe, improve global navigation, protect our planet, speed up disaster response and more. We are hiring immediately for an Embedded Software Developer to join our team in Westminster, CO. This role allows for two days of remote work from home and requires in-office the other three days.

Join Maxar's Space System Engineering team to shape the future of our products and services, deliver actionable insights on Earth and in space, and unlock the potential of a multi-sensor world. Build the next big thing in commercial remote sensing with an industry-leading team that exemplifies technical depth, breadth, precision, and innovation. Our team is defining - and delivering on - a vision for the next generation of on-orbit technologies that will extend the capabilities of our industry-leading Earth imaging constellation.

As an Embedded Software Developer, you will lead the development of robust and scalable embedded systems, focusing on system architecture, real-time operating systems, and networking protocols. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that our systems meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and security in demanding aerospace environments.

Day In the Life:

You'll start your day tackling some of the most exciting challenges in aerospace technology. You'll review design specs and dive into hands-on development, implementing critical system features in a SWAP constrained real-time operating environment. Your morning might include a brainstorming session with cross-functional teams, where you contribute ideas for refining the system architecture to meet demanding aerospace performance and reliability standards.

By midday, you're deep into coding, optimizing a networking protocol implementation for low-latency communication between components. You might pause to debug a complex interaction between the RTOS scheduler and hardware interrupts, collaborating with vendor hardware engineers to uncover the root cause of a timing issue.

In the afternoon, you'll switch gears to conduct a code review for a teammate, ensuring the system adheres to stringent aerospace standards for security, safety, and reliability. You'll present your findings in a brief team sync, highlighting opportunities for improved system efficiency. Later, you might test your latest implementation on a hardware-in-the-loop setup, fine-tuning performance under simulated mission conditions.

As the day wraps up, you'll document your progress, sharing insights and solutions that will inform the next iteration of the system. You'll leave knowing that your work directly contributes to mission-critical capabilities, from enabling reliable satellite communication to powering autonomous aerospace systems. Each day brings unique challenges, rewarding you with the satisfaction of pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

System Architecture and Design:

• Define and document the architecture of complex embedded systems, balancing performance, scalability, and security.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of components.
• Conduct trade studies and provide recommendations for architecture improvements.

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and Frameworks:

• Develop, integrate, and optimize RTOS solutions for high-performance aerospace applications.
• Implement multitasking frameworks to support real-time mission-critical operations.
• Debug and troubleshoot RTOS-related issues to ensure deterministic performance.

Networking Protocols:

• Design and implement networking solutions, focusing on industry-standard protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, and SpaceWire.
• Ensure reliable communication across embedded systems within stringent aerospace constraints.
• Analyze and optimize network performance for low-latency, high-throughput requirements.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in related field with 3+ years or experience in demonstrated embedded systems software development
• Experience may be substituted for formal education with 7+ years of demonstrated experience in embedded systems development, with a focus on aerospace or defense applications.
• Demonstrated expertise in system architecture design and documentation.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, Python, or similar programming languages.
• Hands-on experience with RTOS development (e.g., VxWorks, FreeRTOS, QNX).
• In-depth knowledge of networking protocols and their implementation in embedded systems.
• Familiarity with hardware/software integration, including debugging tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
• Must be a US Citizen

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in embedded software engineering in aerospace or defense applications.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and secure coding practices in embedded systems.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards (e.g., DO-178C, DO-254, ARINC 653).
• Hands-on experience with FPGA programming or DSP development.

• Comfortable interacting with senior technical customers
• Willing and able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance at TS/SCI level

Life with Us:

Maxar has been recognized by Built In as a "Best Place to Work" in both Colorado and Washington D.C., making it a top workplace. This designation is based on analysis of compensation, benefits, and focus on remote and flexible work options, employee programs and more.

There is a reason we boast awards like Best Employer, Best Place to Work, Top Employer, and Candidate Experience Winner. Our strength is in our people. Each team member makes a unique contribution to our collective mission. So, we recognize that with best-in-class benefits like:

• 401K matching and immediate vesting schedule
• Career growth opportunities
• Family-friendly benefits like maternity and paternity leave, adoption reimbursement, flexible hours, hybrid work options
• Programs to help you grow, like tuition reimbursement, hackathons, and career development
• Student loan repayment
• Generous time off
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision at affordable monthly rates

#LI-MG1

In support of pay transparency at Maxar, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.

* The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $80,000.00 - $132,000.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. You can find more information on our benefits at:https://www.maxar.com/careers/benefits

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.

The date of posting can be found on Maxar's Career page at the top of each job posting.

To apply, submit your application via Maxar's Career page.

Maxar Technologies values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.