Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Flight Software

Medium; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

E-Space is seeking a highly skilled FSW/Embedded Software Developer to design, develop, and optimize software for customized embedded devices with a strong emphasis on space-related software and algorithms. The role involves bare-metal, RTOS, and real-time Linux environments, testing, automation, and collaboration with global teams to ensure reliable, low-latency aerospace software.

The successful candidate will design, implement, test, and debug software, build automated test frameworks for

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience designing and developing significant embedded software in aerospace applications.
• Proficient in C/C++ and scripting languages; familiarity with Python.
• Experience with embedded multicore platforms and their toolchains; knowledge of Yocto is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Core Embedded Software Development for real-time embedded systems, including flight software and subsystems interfacing (TTC, Power, Thermal, GNC, FDIR, CFDP).
• Implement protocols like UART, CAN, SpaceWire, SPI, I2C; work with Linux bridging and L2 protocols for redundant networks.
• Design and implement L2 Ethernet networks for inter-board communication and fault-tolerant fabrics with TSN where applicable.
• Develop and maintain automated testing frameworks for embedded systems (HIL, SIL, PIL).
• Debug and validate using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers; support cross-functional teams.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Scripting (Shell/Bash)

Python

Debugging

Git

UART CAN SPI I2C

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science or Electronics Engineering

Tools

Yocto

JTAG

GDB

CI/CD pipelines

Flatsat testing

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure, and actionable? Then you’ve come to the right place!

At E-Space, we’re focused on bridging Earth and space with the world’s most sustainable low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. We’re a team of bold thinkers, ambitious leaders and dynamic doers—and we’re disrupting NewSpace by fundamentally changing the design of legacy LEO space systems to deliver entirely new satellite capabilities at a fraction of the cost.

We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 100% committed—to saving space, to protecting our planet and to turning connectivity into actionable intelligence

We areseekinga highly skilled and motivatedFSW/Embedded Software Developer to design, develop, and optimize software forcustomized embedded devices,with a strong emphasis onspace-relatedsoftware and algorithms. The role involvesdesigning anddevelopingsoftware forbare-metal,RTOS, and real-time Linuxenvironments, real-time performance, system reliability, and implementing robustrecovery mechanisms. You will also contribute totesting and automation.

What you will be doing:

• Core Development: Embedded Software Development: Architect/Design, write, debug, and maintain efficient software for real-time embedded systems, including mission critical Flight Software and communication with other space-specific software subsystems/modules, such as TTC (CCSDS protocol), Power, Thermal, GNC, FDIR, CFDP.

• Communication Protocols and Specifications: Implement protocols used in space-grade software such as UART, CAN, SpaceWire, SPI, I2C, and Ethernet. Experience with Linux bridging, DSA (Distributed Switch Architecture), and L2 protocols such as RSTP/MSTP, HSR, or FRER for redundant network fabrics is highly valued

• Networking and Avionics Fabrics: Design and implement L2 Ethernet networks for inter-board communication on spacecraft, including switch bring up, PHY configuration, and topology design. Configure and debug L2 redundancy protocols (RSTP, HSR, FRER) for fault-tolerant fabrics. Implement deterministic networking using TSN features where mission profiles require bounded latency.

• Application Integration: Integrate and manage provided applications on top of the customized platform software. Design and bring up Ethernet-based avionics networks, including PHY/MAC initialization, switch configuration, and L2 redundancy protocols.

• Operational Management: Design and implement efficient memory management, process management, software updates, reprogramming and power saving modes for embedded systems. Experience with multi-board Ethernet fabrics (mesh, ring, or tree topologies) for inter-subsystem communication is a plus.

• Testing and Support: Test Framework Development: Create and maintain automated testing frameworks for embedded systems, including HIL, SIL, PIL.

• Support: Provide support for debugging of real-time and critical faults.

• Debugging and Validation: Use tools like oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to test and debug embedded software and hardware interfaces.

• Collaboration and Documentation: Hardware Interaction: Work closely with global software teams to contribute to the new designs and ensure seamless software-hardware integration.

• Documentation: Prepare and maintain technical documentation.

What you bring to this role:

• Hands-on: Proven record of designing and developing significant working software in aerospace applications.

• Programming Languages: Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting languages like Shell or Bash; familiarity with Python.

• Embedded Systems: Experience with embedded and multicore platforms and their toolchains. Experience with Yocto is a big plus.

• Communication Protocols: Knowledge of key hardware and software protocols such as UART, CAN, SPI, I2C. TCP and UDP.

• Upgrades: Experience with secure firmware updates and reprogramming mechanisms.

• Debugging Tools: Proficiency with debugging tools like JTAG, GDB, and serial debuggers.

• Version Control: Expertise with Git or similar version control systems.

Bonus points:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.

• Familiarity with wireless communication technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRa).

• Familiarity with hardware simulation tools and flatsat environments for testing.

• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and automated build/test workflows.

Key Attributes

• Strong analytical and debugging skills.

• Passion for quality and attention to detail in software development and testing.

• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional and global teams.

• Commitment to staying updated with the latest in IoT, embedded systems, and testing automation technologies.

• A willingness to undertake further relevant training.

• An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities.

• Time management, self-reliance and willingness to learn.

$130,000 - $180,000 a year