Embedded Software Engineer El Segundo, CA

General Galactic; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

PTO

401k

Stock options

Job summary

General Galactic in Los Angeles designs and builds advanced spacecraft. As an Embedded Software Engineer you will own flight software development across missions planned for 2026 and 2027, collaborating with a focused team to deliver reliable real-time systems.

You will work on core flight software, microcontroller interfaces, testing, hardware-in-the-loop, and documentation, with opportunities to expand your role as the company grows.

Qualifications

• BS in CS/CE/AE/EE required.
• 2+ years in software development, aerospace preferred.
• Experience with C/C++, Git, Python, Grafana, Rust.
• Experience with RTOS and satellite communications protocols.
• Understanding microcontroller architectures.
• Debugging and optimization with hazard/root cause analysis.
• Experience with safety standards and formal certification (NASA/FAA/FDA).
• Startup environment experience.
• First-principles problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Architect and deliver core flight software with focus on latency and control frequency.
• Own embedded software for microcontrollers and similar.
• Implement, test, and integrate flight software for key algorithms, command/telemetry, mission management and fault handling.
• Write clean, efficient code for real-time and safety-critical apps.
• Implement UDP, multicast, Ethernet communication protocols.
• Collaborate with hardware and avionics engineers throughout the lifecycle.
• Maintain clear documentation for code and concepts.
• Collaborate with GNC to integrate complex vehicle algorithms.
• Lead testing development: HIL, simulation, and automated tests.

Skills

C/C++

Git

Python

Grafana

Rust

RTOS

Debugging

Hazard analysis

Root cause analysis

First-principles

Startup experience

Education

BS in CS/CE/Aerospace/EE

Tools

RTOS environments

Satellite protocols

Job description

General Galactic designs, builds, and flies advanced spacecraft that redefine what’s possible beyond Earth. Led by former SpaceX, Varda, Impulse, and Relativity engineers, our vision is to dominate cislunar space and build the railway to Mars – expanding access to high-energy orbits and enabling the next generation of missions along the way. Based in Los Angeles, California, we’re leveraging our paradigm-shifting water-based technology to reshape the space domain for good.

Job Description

As an Embedded Software Engineer, you will work closely with a focused technical team to develop critical software for our product fleet, including missions flying in 2026 and 2027. You’ll have extreme ownership over your work, move quickly, and operate with high agency. As we grow, there will be opportunities to expand your role with the company. You will contribute to all, and own many, aspects of embedded and flight software development, testing, qualification, and deployment for General Galactic missions and vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Architect and deliver core flight software with a focus on meeting system and performance requirements such as latency, jitter, & control frequency
• Own embedded software for microcontrollers and similar
• Implement, test, and integrate flight software for key algorithms, command and telemetry, mission management, health and status, and fault management in a real-time software framework
• Write clean, efficient, and testable code for real-time and safety-critical applications
• Implement communication protocols (UDP, multicast, Ethernet, etc.)
• Collaborate with hardware and avionics engineers to support full product development lifecycle
• Manage clear and concise documentation for code, ConOps, etc.
• Collaborate with GNC engineers to integrate complex algorithms for vehicle ops
• Lead the development and performance of testing, including hardware-in-the-loop, hardware-out-of-the-loop, simulation, qualification, and automated test systems

Requirements

• BS in computer science, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or similar degree
• 2+ years of experience in development of software, with preference for aerospace applications
• Demonstrated experience with C/C++, Git, Python, Grafana, Rust, or similar
• Experience with RTOS environments and satellite communications protocols
• Understanding of microcontroller architectures and interfaces
• Skilled in debugging and optimization (as well as hazard analysis and root cause analysis)
• Experience with developing software to a safety standard and achieving formal certification with a governing body (e.g. NASA, FAA, FDA, etc.)
• Experience in a fast-paced startup environment or similar
• First-principles approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information

Benefits include medical/vision/dental/PTO/401k/stock options, and more!

Your salary and incentives will be determined individually on the basis of the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

General Galactic Technologies Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.