Small Satellite Embedded Software Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Relocation assistance

401(k) Plan

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking engineers for the Small Satellite Department to develop Linux-based software for space-grade hardware, enabling machine learning and autonomous experiments. You will test hardware interfaces, design embedded Linux solutions, and assist in releases and documentation.

Ideal candidates are familiar with C, Python, Rust, Linux, and containerization, with a background in RTOS or embedded Linux.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or a related technical discipline.
• 1 or more years of industry work experience.
• Programming experience with Linux user-space programs or kernel drivers.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for a Linux Operating System that runs on high-performance computing hardware in space to support ML and autonomy experiments.
• Test embedded hardware interfaces using I2C, UART, and Ethernet.
• Design, test, and debug embedded Linux software for sensor data processing, potentially with ML on a GPU.
• Assist with software releases, deployments, and documentation.
• Coordinate with subsystem leads to define software requirements and interfaces.
• Develop software libraries and applications to support satellites testing and operation.

Skills

Linux

C

Python

Rust

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Mathematics

Tools

Docker

CUDA

Job description

About the Role

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. The Aerospace Corporation’s Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers’ hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for engineers with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today’s challenges.

The Small Satellite Department conceives, develops, and operates small satellite missions in partnership with a broad array of customers. The department comprises a core group of 15-20 engineers and technologists. As a leader in the development and operation of small satellite systems, we look to the next decade of advancing technologies and capabilities, improving reliability, and promoting a mission-centric approach to system development.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Developing software for a Linux Operating System that will run on high-performance computing hardware in space to support Machine Learning and autonomy experiments
• Testing the functionality of custom designed electronics and their interfacing with other boards using protocols such as I2C, UART, and Ethernet
• Designing, testing, and debugging embedded user-space Linux software for sensor data processing, potentially using Machine Learning models running on a GPU
• Assisting with software releases, deployments, and documentation
• Coordinating with subsystem leads to define software requirements and interfaces
• Developing software libraries and applications to support satellites testing and operation

This position is onsite in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Member of Technical Staff:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or a related technical discipline
• 1 or more years of industry work experience
• Programming experience with Linux user-space programs or kernel drivers

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for a Sr. Member of Technical Staff include:

• 4 or more years of industry work experience
• Working knowledge of RTOS and embedded Linux development, resiliency and fault tolerance techniques, bus, data communication and networking protocols

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Masters or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline
• Familiarity with C, Python, Rust, and Bash
• Deep expertise with Linux Operating Systems and shell commands
• Embedded systems development experience, e.g., working knowledge of real-time design, verification workflow, etc.
• Familiarity with standard electrical interfaces: RS232/RS422 (UART), SPI, i2C, USB and ethernet
• Hardware debugging skills & experience with power supplies, signal generators, oscilloscopes and/or logic analyzers
• Large systems experience, e.g., workload orchestration and containerization, engineering geographically dispersed services, multi-vendor services integration
• Experience with Machine Learning libraries such as PyTorch or GPU frameworks such as CUDA
• Familiarity with containerization platforms such as Docker

Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max) $95,200.00 - $165,500.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Benefits

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• 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

Our Culture

An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect. We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

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.

Location & Work Environment

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges. Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development. Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Additional Information

Return to the Aerospace Careers site. Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.