Principal Embedded Systems Engineer

EVONA; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA is seeking a Principal Embedded Systems Engineer to drive architecture, develop firmware and real-time software, and lead flight-ready integration of spacecraft systems. You will work across processors, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and embedded interfaces with hands-on lab debugging and board bring-up.

The position requires strong C/C++, RTOS experience, and deep knowledge of interfaces such as CAN, SpaceWire, SPI, I2C, UART, and LVDS, with a proven ability to own complex hardware/software

Qualifications

• 7+ years of embedded systems experience in space, aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous systems, or similarly complex hardware.
• Strong C/C++ and real-time embedded software experience.
• Experience selecting and working with processors, microcontrollers, FPGAs, memory, and embedded interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of embedded systems from architecture to testing and flight readiness.
• Perform hardware/software integration and board bring-up in lab environments.
• Collaborate across sensors, actuators, motors, cameras, and spacecraft-level interfaces.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS

Embedded systems

Hardware/software integration

Board bring-up

Sensors/actuators

Deterministic timing

Lab equipment

Tools

CAN

SpaceWire

Ethernet

RS-422/485

SPI

I2C

UART

LVDS

Job description

Principal Embedded Systems Engineer / Embedded Systems Lead

EVONA is partnering with a venture-backed space technology company developing next-generation spacecraft and payload systems.

We’re looking for a Principal Embedded Systems Engineer who can operate across both hardware and software and take genuine ownership of embedded systems from initial architecture through integration, testing, and flight readiness.

This is not a purely embedded software position. You’ll work across processor and microcontroller selection, embedded electronics, firmware, real-time software, communications, sensors, actuators, and spacecraft-level integration.

What we’re looking for:

• 7+ years of embedded systems experience in space, aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous systems, or similarly complex hardware
• Strong C/C++ and real-time embedded software experience
• Experience selecting and working with processors, microcontrollers, FPGAs, memory, and embedded interfaces
• Hands-on board bring-up, debugging, firmware development, and hardware/software integration
• Experience interfacing directly with sensors, actuators, motors, cameras, or other electronic hardware
• Strong understanding of deterministic timing, interrupts, synchronization, concurrency, and RTOS environments
• Experience with interfaces such as CAN, SpaceWire, Ethernet, RS-422/485, SPI, I2C, UART, or LVDS
• Comfortable using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, protocol analyzers, and other lab equipment
• Ability to take technical ownership across architecture, development, HIL/SIL testing, verification, and system integration
• Spacecraft avionics, flight computers, precision pointing systems, optical payloads, radiation-tolerant electronics, FPGA interfaces, and high-power electronics experience would all be highly valuable.

This can be structured as either a Principal-level individual contributor position or an Embedded Systems leadership role, depending on experience.

If you’re the type of engineer who is equally comfortable discussing system architecture, debugging a board in the lab, and writing low-level embedded software, I’d be keen to speak.