Embedded Software Engineer

Round-Peg Solutions (RPS) Limited; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Impulse Space is seeking an RF Embedded Software Engineer to own the embedded software powering spacecraft RF communications from initial architecture through flight. You will design and implement embedded C/C++ software, DSP algorithms and calibration routines, bring up RF hardware in the lab, and collaborate with RF, FPGA and ground software engineers to deliver reliable space communications.

This role combines hands-on lab work with system-level ownership and the challenge of developing

Qualifications

• Embedded C/C++ software development experience
• Strong RF communications knowledge
• Experience with DSP, calibration algorithms
• Hands-on hardware integration in lab
• Familiarity with RF front-end components (PAs, LNAs, PLLs)

Responsibilities

• Own the development of embedded RF software from requirements through flight-ready systems
• Develop embedded C/C++ to control spacecraft RF hardware
• Design DSP, modulation/demodulation and RF calibration algorithms
• Develop RF system control algorithms to improve performance
• Hands-on RF hardware bring-up, debugging and validation
• Collaborate with FPGA and hardware teams on high-performance digital communications platforms
• Work with ground software teams on satellite-to-ground data pipelines
• Contribute to future software architecture for spacecraft RF systems

Job description

Are you an Embedded Software Engineer with strong RF communications experience who wants to own the software behind spacecraft radio systems from initial architecture through to flight?

Do you want to develop the embedded software, signal processing algorithms and RF control systems that enable spacecraft to communicate across distances ranging from low Earth orbit to Mars?

We are exclusively hiring an RF Embedded Software Engineer for Impulse Space, where you will take ownership of the embedded software powering next-generation spacecraft RF communications systems.

This is a genuinely hands-on, end-to-end software engineering role. Starting with mission-specific communications requirements, you will help define the RF software architecture, develop embedded C/C++ software, implement digital signal processing and calibration algorithms, and bring up complex RF hardware.

Your ownership continues well beyond writing code. You will be hands-on in the lab integrating software with RF hardware, debugging mixed-signal systems, testing RF components and validating communications performance. You will work closely with RF hardware, FPGA, flight software and ground systems engineers to deliver reliable communications systems for demanding space missions.

As the RF Embedded Software Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Own the development of embedded RF software from initial requirements and architecture through integration, testing and flight-ready systems
• Develop embedded C/C++ software to control, configure and optimise spacecraft RF communications hardware
• Design and implement digital signal processing (DSP), modulation/demodulation and RF calibration algorithms
• Develop RF system control algorithms to improve communications performance, reliability and operational efficiency
• Perform hands-on RF hardware bring-up, software integration, debugging and validation of complex mixed-signal systems
• Work directly with RF components including power amplifiers (PAs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), phase-locked loops (PLLs), mixers and transceivers
• Use spectrum analysers, signal generators, software-defined radios and other RF laboratory equipment to diagnose and resolve hardware/software integration challenges
• Collaborate with FPGA and hardware engineers on high-performance digital communications platforms, including systems incorporating Xilinx FPGA/SoC technology
• Work with ground software teams to develop, integrate and test satellite-to-ground communications and data pipelines
• Help define the software architecture and technical direction for future generations of spacecraft RF communications systems

Previous space industry experience is not essential. Impulse Space is primarily looking for engineers who combine strong embedded C/C++ development skills with genuine RF communications knowledge and hands-on hardware integration experience.

Relevant backgrounds could include satellite communications, defence communications, software-defined radio (SDR), wireless systems, modem development, telecommunications or other high-performance RF applications.

You will work alongside experienced engineers developing spacecraft capable of operating on missions from Earth orbit to deep space, with the opportunity to influence technical decisions, solve challenging RF communications problems and see your work deployed on real spacecraft.

For an embedded software engineer who wants to move beyond developing isolated software components, this represents an opportunity to take on broader technical responsibility, greater system-level ownership and the challenge of developing communications software that will operate in space.