Embedded Software Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 110,400 - 165,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care

401(k) plan with company match

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is looking for an Embedded Software Engineer to develop innovative embedded software solutions in El Segundo, CA. This role involves working with advanced technologies such as image processing and AI/ML, directly contributing to next-generation satellite capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in embedded software development, with a Bachelor's degree in a related field and significant hands-on experience. Benefits include a competitive salary up to $165,500 annually and comprehensive health plans.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in embedded software development.
• Experience with leading hardware platforms and tool suites.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software solutions for novel processors.
• Rapidly prototype and test embedded software.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineers for optimization.

Skills

Embedded software development

Image processing

AI/ML implementation

FPGA design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field

Tools

AMD/Xilinx

Microchip

Altera

Job description

Position Summary

The Cyberspace & Mission Technology Department (CMTD) is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to perform research and development activities toward innovative embedded prototypes in areas such as image and signal processing, accelerated computing, and AI/ML at the edge. Your work will directly advance next‑generation satellite capabilities, ensuring the U.S. continued dominance in space. This full‑time, 100% onsite position is based in El Segundo, CA.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software solutions for evaluating novel processors and state‑of‑the‑art on‑board processing systems.
• Rapidly prototype and test embedded software on diverse platforms including Linux‑based SoCs, embedded GPUs, FPGAs, application‑specific accelerators, microcontrollers, and other emerging processors.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineers to design and optimize algorithms for low SWaP embedded implementations across image processing, signal processing, and AI/ML application domains.
• Partner with Aerospace’s small satellite team to demonstrate applications on orbit.
• Work closely with Aerospace scientists to assess the radiation susceptibility of embedded processors and develop appropriate mitigations.
• Propose and execute research projects leveraging emerging technologies to advance the department’s capabilities and technical expertise.
• Proactively engage with internal and external customers through project status updates, technical findings presentations, and technical demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 5 or more years of hands‑on experience in embedded software development or designing embedded systems.
• Demonstrated depth in at least two of the following areas: embedded systems design and development, software development for resource‑constrained environments, edge AI/ML implementation, or FPGA design and development.
• Experience with leading hardware platforms and tool suites (e.g., AMD/Xilinx, Altera, Microchip, ST Microelectronics).
• Proficiency with common embedded interfaces (I2C, SPI, GPIO, UART, etc.).
• Willing to travel domestically up to 10%.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Additional Qualifications for Engineering Specialist – Computer Engineering

• 8 years of hands‑on experience in embedded software development or designing embedded systems.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences, including internal technical teams and external customers.
• Demonstrated experience identifying new opportunities, developing and leading proposals, and executing awarded projects to completion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience developing embedded software solutions for space, aerospace, or defense applications.
• Proven ability to collaborate across hardware and software teams, especially on projects that bridge heterogeneous computing (CPU, FPGA, GPU) architectures.
• Proficiency implementing AI/ML algorithms on embedded platforms utilizing frameworks such as LiteRT (TensorFlow Lite), TensorRT, Vitis AI, or similar.
• Experience leveraging high‑level synthesis (HLS) to accelerate and deploy algorithms on FPGAs.
• Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing CUDA kernels for embedded GPU applications.
• Active Top‑Secret clearance.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive pay: $110,400.00 – $165,500.00 (annual). Salary determined by education, experience, knowledge and skills.

Benefits include comprehensive health care and wellness plans, paid holidays, sick time, and vacation, standard and alternate work schedules with telework options, 401(k) plan with company match, flexible spending accounts, variable pay program, relocation assistance, professional growth and development programs, and education assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Contact us for accommodations or assistance during the application process.