Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Flight Software

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

Job summary

E-Space, located in Saratoga, California, seeks a skilled FSW/Embedded Software Developer to drive innovation in the aerospace sector. The role entails developing, optimizing software for embedded systems, particularly in space applications, and demands proficiency in C/C++ and various communication protocols.

As part of a pioneering team, you'll contribute to mission-critical software, implementing communication protocols and ensuring seamless software-hardware integration. The position offers a competitive salary of $130,000 - $180,000 a year.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in aerospace applications.
• Experience with embedded and multicore platforms.
• Familiar with debugging tools and secure firmware updates.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize software for embedded devices.
• Integrate and manage applications on customized software platforms.
• Create automated testing frameworks for embedded systems.

Skills

C/C++ proficiency

Shell or Bash scripting

Knowledge of UART, CAN, SPI, I2C, TCP, UDP

Debugging tools proficiency (JTAG, GDB)

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, or related field

Tools

Yocto

Version Control (Git)

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 are seeking a highly skilled and motivated 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 designing and developing software for bare‑metal, RTOS, and real‑time Linux environments, real‑time performance, system reliability, and implementing robust recovery mechanisms. You will also contribute to testing and automation.

What you will be doing:

• Embedded Software Development – Architect, design, write, debug, and maintain efficient software for real‑time embedded systems, including mission critical flight software and communication with space‑specific software subsystems 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 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.
• 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 such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to test and debug embedded software and hardware interfaces.
• Hardware Interaction – Work closely with global software teams to contribute to new designs and ensure seamless software‑hardware integration.
• Documentation – Prepare and maintain technical documentation.

What you bring to this role:

• Hands‑on experience: Proven record of designing and developing significant working software in aerospace applications.
• Programming Languages: Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting languages such as 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 such as 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 such as Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or LoRa.
• Familiarity with hardware simulation tools and flat‑sat 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