Principal Software Engineer

Woods & Co; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Woods & Co in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior or Principal Software Engineer to design and develop embedded software for space-based systems.

You will write C/C++ and assembly, develop bootloaders, BSPs, kernels, and drivers, and contribute to architecture and testing for real-time aerospace products. This role is on-site in San Diego with a focus on high-reliability space systems.

Qualifications

• 8–30 years of embedded software development experience.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, BSP, kernel, and driver development.
• Strong experience with VxWorks, Embedded Linux, and/or bare-metal systems.
• Familiarity with Buildroot/Yocto, NAND Flash file systems, and hardware debugging tools.
• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field (MS preferred).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, document, and test embedded software for aerospace products, including computer boards.
• Develop and debug bootloaders, BSPs, kernels, and device drivers for VxWorks/Embedded Linux/bare-metal environments.
• Write code in C/C++ and assembly for embedded systems.
• Develop Python-based desktop GUI tools for automated test equipment.
• Support verification, debugging, and manufacturing with test programs and plans.
• Participate in customer discussions and cross-discipline design reviews.
• Contribute to software architecture, planning, risk management, and process improvements across projects.

Skills

C/C++

Python

BSP

Kernel development

Device drivers

Embedded systems

VxWorks

Embedded Linux

Bare-metal

Education

BS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

Buildroot/Yocto

NAND Flash file systems

In-circuit emulators

Job description

Woods & Co is supporting a well-established company in the growing space industry is seeking an experienced Senior or Principal Software Engineer to design and develop embedded software for space-based systems

This is a Senior/Principal Software Engineer role in San Diego, CA (full-time, on-site).

What's in it for you?

• Join a well-established company in the aerospace industry known for strong technology, interesting projects, and a solid team of engineers.
• Hands-on work on real-time, high-reliability aerospace systems in a growing industry.

What you'll do:

• Design, develop, document, and test embedded software for aerospace products, including computer boards.
• Develop and debug bootloaders, BSPs, kernels, and device drivers for VxWorks 6.9/7.0, Embedded Linux, RTEMS, and bare-metal environments.
• Write code in C/C++ and assembly for embedded systems.
• Develop Python-based desktop GUI tools (e.g., pyvisa, nidaqmx) for automated test equipment.
• Support system verification, debugging, and manufacturing efforts with test programs, plans, and technical expertise.
• Participate in technical customer discussions and cross-discipline design reviews.
• Contribute to software architecture, planning, risk management, and process improvement across projects.

What we're looking for:

• 8–30 years of experience in embedded software development.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, BSP, kernel, and driver development.
• Strong experience with VxWorks, Embedded Linux, and/or bare-metal systems.
• Familiarity with Buildroot/Yocto, NAND Flash file systems, and low-level hardware debugging using lab tools and in-circuit emulators.
• BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field (MS preferred).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and teamwork skills.

Woods & Co Recruitment is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate and proudly encourage applications from everyone—including individuals from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities of all ages.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.