Small Satellite Embedded Software Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 110,400 - 193,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

401(k) Plan with company-paid benefits

Relocation assistance

Professional growth and development programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Small Satellite Embedded Software Engineer in El Segundo, CA. The role involves developing microcontroller-scale systems and requires a strong background in embedded software engineering. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with 3 to 6 years of experience based on the position level.

Additional responsibilities include coordinating software requirements and testing for satellite operations. The position offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including healthcare and professional development programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline required.
• Experience with embedded systems development and debugging.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop microcontroller-scale architectures for embedded systems.
• Design, test, and debug embedded applications.
• Coordinate to define software requirements and interfaces.

Skills

Microcontroller design

Embedded software testing

Hardware debugging

Linux development

Networking protocols

FPGA design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Microchip PIC

Arm Cortex-M0/M4/M7

Xilinx Vivado

National Instruments LabVIEW/Python

Job description

Job Title and Location

Small Satellite Embedded Software Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff / Engineering Specialist – Embedded Software Engineering), El Segundo, CA (requires at least 4 days onsite).

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop microcontroller‑scale computer architectures for small satellite embedded systems (e.g., Microchip PIC, Arm Cortex‑M0/M4/M7).
• Design, test, and debug embedded microcontroller/microprocessor applications.
• Assist with software releases, deployments, and documentation.
• Coordinate with subsystem leads to define software requirements and interfaces.
• Develop software libraries and applications to support satellite testing and operations.

Minimum Requirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Three or more years of related experience.
• Embedded systems development experience, e.g., working knowledge of real‑time design, verification workflow, etc.
• Programming experience with embedded microcontrollers or microprocessors.
• Hardware debugging skills and experience with power supplies, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and/or logic analyzers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist

• Six or more years of total relevant experience.
• Deep knowledge of RTOS and embedded Linux development, resiliency and fault tolerance techniques, bus, data communication and networking protocols.
• Large systems experience, e.g., workload orchestration and containerization, engineering geographically dispersed services, multi‑vendor services integration.

Additional Qualifications

• Masters or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Advanced Linux kernel knowledge including device tree customization, kernel module/driver development, board bring‑up, and bootloader configuration (U‑Boot).
• Hands‑on experience with FPGA design tools (Xilinx Vivado), HDL programming (VHDL/Verilog), soft‑core processor integration (MicroBlaze), and hardware‑software co‑design.
• Proficiency with enterprise networking concepts including SSH tunneling/port forwarding, VPN configuration and troubleshooting, router/firewall configuration, iptables, network segmentation, and protocol analysis tools.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators), digital modulation schemes, and RF signal processing.
• Domain expertise in specialized technical areas such as flight dynamics/orbital mechanics, machine learning/AI algorithms, precision timing systems (atomic clocks, GPS‑disciplined oscillators), radiation/photonic sensing, scientific instrumentation, or laser/optical systems.
• Experience with diagnostics, maintenance, or operation of environmental test facilities (thermal/vacuum chambers, vibration tables, etc.) and associated instrumentation (e.g., National Instruments data acquisition tools with LabVIEW/Python).

How You Can Stand Out

• Masters or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Advanced Linux kernel knowledge including device tree customization, kernel module/driver development, board bring‑up, and bootloader configuration (U‑Boot).
• Hands‑on experience with FPGA design tools (Xilinx Vivado), HDL programming (VHDL/Verilog), soft‑core processor integration (MicroBlaze), and hardware‑software co‑design.
• Proficiency with enterprise networking concepts including SSH tunneling/port forwarding, VPN configuration and troubleshooting, router/firewall configuration, iptables, network segmentation, and protocol analysis tools.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators), digital modulation schemes, and RF signal processing.
• Domain expertise in specialized technical areas such as flight dynamics/orbital mechanics, machine learning/AI algorithms, precision timing systems (atomic clocks, GPS‑disciplined oscillators), radiation/photonic sensing, scientific instrumentation, or laser/optical systems.
• Experience with diagnostics, maintenance, or operation of environmental test facilities (thermal/vacuum chambers, vibration tables, etc.) and associated instrumentation (e.g., National Instruments data acquisition tools with LabVIEW/Python).

Compensation

Annual pay range: $110,400 – $193,500.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) Plan – Employees receive a total company‑paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career.
• Education assistance programs.
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.