Principal Embedded Software Engineer

CesiumAstro; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CesiumAstro UK in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, seeks an experienced embedded software engineer to design and implement software for Linux-based single-board computers and high-reliability microcontrollers used in satellites and space systems.

You will work on low-level and high-level software, interface with hardware teams, and contribute to SDK-related efforts to accelerate customer integration and product deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• 9+ years of industry experience in software development.
• Hands-on development and troubleshooting experience with embedded hardware.
• API design experience for interfacing with FPGAs.
• Experience with aerospace products is required.
• Programming in C or C++.
• Embedded systems design with preemptive multitasking RTOS; RT Linux desirable.
• Familiarity with software configuration management tools and defect tracking.
• Excellent knowledge of real-time coding techniques, IP protocols, interfaces, and hardware subsystems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred: reading electronics schematics and component data sheets.
• Preferred: ARM processors and fully-featured microcontrollers.
• Preferred: building a Software Development Kit (SDK).

Responsibilities

• Design and implement software for embedded devices and systems from requirements through deployment.
• Code, test, debug, and document system software.
• Review code and system designs.
• Analyze code for efficiency, stability, and scalability.
• Integrate and validate new product designs.
• Support software quality assurance and optimize I/O performance.
• Provide post-production and in-orbit customer support.
• Interface with hardware design and development engineers.
• Assess third-party and open-source software.
• Present engineering design review materials to customers and executives.
• Participate in proposal-writing efforts.

Skills

C/C++

ARM

Embedded

Linux

RTOS/Real-time

Multi-threading

APIs for FPGAs

Software debugging

Communication skills

Hardware interfaces

Education

BS or MS in CS/EE/CE

Job description

Salary: £70,000 - 110,000 per year

Requirements

• We require a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• We require 9+ years of industry experience in software development.
• We require hands‑on development and troubleshooting experience with embedded hardware.
• We require API design experience for interfacing with FPGAs.
• We require experience with products for aerospace applications.
• We require programming experience in C or C++.
• We require experience in embedded systems design with preemptive, multitasking real‑time operating systems; experience with real‑time Linux is desirable.
• We require familiarity with software configuration management tools, defect tracking tools, and peer review.
• We require excellent knowledge of real‑time system coding techniques, IP protocols, interfaces, and hardware subsystems.
• We require an excellent understanding of multi‑threaded applications and resource management.
• We require excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred experience includes reading electronics schematics and component data sheets.
• Preferred experience includes ARM processors and fully‑featured microcontrollers.
• Preferred experience includes designing and developing a Software Development Kit (SDK).

Responsibilities

• We design and implement software for embedded devices and systems, from requirements through production and commercial deployment.
• We design, develop, code, test, debug, and document system software.
• We review code and system designs.
• We analyze code for efficiency, stability, and scalability.
• We integrate and validate new product designs.
• We support software quality assurance and optimize I/O performance.
• We provide post-production and in-orbit customer support.
• We interface with hardware design and development engineers.
• We assess third‑party and open‑source software.
• We present engineering design review materials to customers and our executive team.
• We participate in proposal‑writing efforts.

Technologies

• API
• ARM
• Embedded
• Hardware
• Support
• Linux
• Security
• AI
• C++

More

We are CesiumAstro UK, based in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, and we are engineering developers and pioneers of communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We offer a dynamic and cross‑functional work environment where we learn, develop, and engage across the organization, with hands‑on, interactive, and autonomous work. This is a full‑time, on‑site role focused on low‑level and high‑level software for Linux‑based single‑board computers and high‑reliability microcontroller systems, supporting the creation of an out‑of‑the‑box hardware and software experience that helps customers rapidly integrate our products into their systems. We consider several factors when extending an offer, including role responsibilities, work experience, education or training, and key skills. Some roles may be subject to security and export control restrictions, and we may use artificial intelligence tools to support parts of the hiring process.

last updated 36 week of 2026