Lead Embedded Flight Software Engineer

Pulse Space; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Pulse Space in Seattle is seeking a Principal / Senior Embedded Flight Software Engineer to own the flight software across spacecraft and payload processors. You will work in C/C++ and Rust on embedded Linux, RTOS, or bare metal, writing boot code, drivers, control loops, fault management, and telemetry.

You will shape the toolchain, CI pipeline, and help hire and lead engineers as the team grows. Spaceflight heritage preferred; BS/MS in related field; 8+ years (senior) or 12+ years (principal).

Qualifications

• Shipped embedded software on real hardware, spaceflight heritage preferred.
• Proficient in C/C++ and Rust on embedded targets; experience with embedded Linux/RTOS/bare metal.
• Strong understanding of real-time constraints at register level (interrupts, DMA, cache).
• Able to set up cross-compilation toolchains, CI pipelines, and automated tests, not just use them.
• Clear technical writing and ability to define ICDs, test procedures, and design rationale.
• BS or MS in CS/CE/EE or Aerospace Engineering; 8+ years for senior, 12+ years for principal.

Responsibilities

• Bring up flight processors from bare board to running OS (bootloader, BSP, first serial output).
• Translate control algorithms from Simulink prototypes to flight code.
• Build and maintain command and telemetry stack for ground commands and housekeeping data.
• Develop fault management layer for sensor faults, temperature limits, and watchdogs.
• Create and maintain development infrastructure: cross-compilation toolchain, CI, hardware-in-the-loop test harnesses.
• Investigate and fix bugs that involve processors, FPGAs, and sensors working together.

Skills

Embedded software

C/C++

Rust

RTOS

Bare metal

Embedded Linux

Cross-compilation

CI pipelines

Unit testing

Debugging

Education

BS in CS/CE/EE or Aerospace

MS in CS/CE/EE or Aerospace

Tools

Bootloader

BSP

CI tooling

HIL test harness

Job description

Pulse Space in Seattle is seeking a Principal / Senior Embedded Flight Software Engineer to own the flight software across spacecraft and payload processors. You will work in C/C++ and Rust on embedded Linux, RTOS, or bare metal, writing boot code, drivers, control loops, fault management, and telemetry.

You will shape the toolchain, CI pipeline, and help hire and lead engineers as the team grows. Spaceflight heritage preferred; BS/MS in related field; 8+ years (senior) or 12+ years (principal).