Senior Platform Linux Software Engineer

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Corporation; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Disability income protection

Life insurance

Pension plan

Employee assistance program

Job summary

MDA Space in the UK is seeking an experienced embedded Linux specialist to build and maintain Linux distributions, kernels, and boot components for complex satellite and space-ground platforms.

You will implement cross-compilation pipelines, container runtimes, and platform services, while contributing to CI/CD pipelines and hardware interface integration. The role offers challenging projects in a leading space tech environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years embedded Linux platform development
• Experience with Yocto or Buildroot
• Experience with ARM-based embedded platforms
• Familiarity with boot process (U-boot, device tree, kernel configuration)
• Experience with containers (Docker or Podman)
• Experience deploying or integrating services such as Redis
• Cross-compilation and build automation for embedded systems
• Git workflows and CI systems such as Jenkins
• Python or shell scripting for automation
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools (Cursor, Claude Code, Codex)

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain custom Linux distributions using Yocto or Buildroot
• Maintain Linux platform configuration, including kernel configuration, device tree, and boot components (U-boot)
• Develop and maintain system platform services and infrastructure components
• Integrate platform services such as container runtimes (Docker / Podman) and distributed services (Redis)
• Implement cross-compilation environments and image build pipelines
• Maintain Linux packaging, configuration management, and release processes
• Support integration of hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, PCIe, Ethernet) at the platform level
• Develop automation tools for system deployment, configuration, and diagnostics
• Maintain CI/CD pipelines and platform build infrastructure (Jenkins)

Skills

Embedded Linux

Linux platform development

Cross-platform build

Tools

Yocto

Buildroot

U-boot

Docker

Podman

Redis

Git

Jenkins CI/CD

Python

Shell

Cursor

Claude Code

Codex

Job description

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and Geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 3,800 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one.For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visitwww.mda.space .

Our Sat Connect IC business unit, a division of our Satellite Systems business, is a leading provider of ASICs, software, multibeam electronically steered antennas, and complete systems for communication satellites, as well as ground and airborne terminals. With locations in Israel, the UK, and the US, we are a technology leader in satellite communication.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain custom Linux distributions using Yocto or Buildroot
• Maintain Linux platform configuration, including kernel configuration, device tree, and boot components (U-boot)
• Develop and maintain system platform services and infrastructure components
• Integrate platform services such as container runtimes (Docker / Podman) and distributed services (Redis)
• Implement cross-compilation environments and image build pipelines
• Maintain Linux packaging, configuration management, and release processes
• Support integration of hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, PCIe, Ethernet) at the platform level
• Develop automation tools for system deployment, configuration, and diagnostics
• Maintain CI/CD pipelines and platform build infrastructure (Jenkins)

ARM64, Yocto, Buildroot, U-boot, Linux | C/C++, Python, Shell | Docker, Podman, Redis | Git, Jenkins CI/CD | SPI, I2C, PCIe, Ethernet | Cursor, Claude Code, Codex

Required Experience:

• 7+ years embedded Linux platform development
• Linux system development using Yocto or Buildroot
• Experience with ARM-based embedded platforms
• Familiarity with boot process (U-boot, device tree, kernel configuration)
• Experience with containers (Docker or Podman)
• Experience deploying or integrating services such as Redis
• Cross-compilation and build automation for embedded systems
• Git workflows and CI systems such as Jenkins
• Python or shell scripting for automation
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools (Cursor, Claude Code, Codex)

Preferred Experience:

• High-performance networking systems
• FPGA-based platforms
• Telecom or satellite communication systems

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA Space welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA Space’s leadership in this next golden age.

Comments/Special Considerations:

We are required to conduct a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) screening in which we will check your:

• Right to work: To confirm that you are entitled to take up the position as well as check your nationality and immigration status
• Identity: Full ID check
• Criminal records: Basic Disclosure
• Employment history check: Confirmation of past three years of employment (minimum) history/activity
• Reference checks

Benefits statement:

MDA Space provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; private healthcare, disability income protection, life insurance, pension plan; and an employee assistance program.

Equal opportunity statement:

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

Accommodations

MDA Space is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.