Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Northwood Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space is seeking an experienced embedded systems architect to design and implement a scalable ground-station platform. You will define requirements, build a secure, real-time software stack, and collaborate with hardware and FPGA engineers to deliver robust systems.

The role emphasizes developing a custom Linux OS for embedded devices, OTA updates, and security-first architecture, with opportunities to shape next‑gen ground‑station infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in embedded systems.
• Experience architecting embedded systems.
• Experience with security and key management.
• Experience with standard bus interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB).
• Experience with embedded Linux environments (Yocto, Petalinux, etc.).
• Familiarity with laboratory tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters.

Responsibilities

• Custom Linux operating system for embedded device.
• Over-the-air update system.
• Security requirements and architecture.
• Fix bugs and troubleshoot issues from internal/external customers.
• Framework of user-space applications.
• Collaboration with FPGA and hardware engineers on system architecture.

Skills

Embedded systems architecture

Security & key management

Embedded Linux environments

Real-time systems

Hardware-software collaboration

Tools

Yocto

Petalinux

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Multimeters

Job description

About Northwood:

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array and parabolic ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

About Northwood:

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space and bring the benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you like building quickly and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe with real impact, we want you at Northwood.

Role:

Come architect the embedded systems of our next-generation ground stations! You would have the opportunity to build a system from the ground up and work in a fast-paced team of hardware and firmware engineers to define requirements and get things done. We are aiming to build a scalable and secure platform on modern tooling. Experience with embedded Linux and security are a must. Come join us!

Responsibilities:

• Custom Linux operating system for embedded device
• Over-the-air update system
• Security requirements and architecture
• Fix bugs and troubleshoot issues from internal/external customers
• Framework of user-space applications
• Collaboration with FPGA and hardware engineers on system architecture

Basic Qualifications:

• 7+ years of professional experience
• Experience architecting embedded systems
• Experience with security and key management
• Experience with standard bus interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB)
• Experience with embedded Linux environments (Yocto, Petalinux, etc...)
• Familiarity with laboratory tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters

Preferred Qualifications

• Contributions to the linux kernel
• Experience with RTOS (Zephyr, FreeRTOS, etc...)
• Experience developing consumer devices
• Experience in Rust
• Experience with networking

Additional Information:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Additional Information:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know at [e-mail]