Sr Software Engineer

Sierra Space; Louisville (CO); On-site; USD 157,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

3 weeks paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space Corporation in Colorado is hiring a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to lead the design, architecture, and development of complex embedded software systems. You will guide a team of engineers, make high-level design decisions, and ensure reliability and performance across platforms.

The role requires deep expertise in multiple programming languages, experience with RTOS or embedded Linux, and strong leadership to drive software initiatives in a mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of related embedded software experience.
• Deep expertise in multiple programming languages and software development principles.
• Proven ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems.
• Experience with Agile and Scrum/Kanban methodologies.
• Strong leadership to guide a team of engineers and influence program decisions.

Responsibilities

• Design, architect, and develop complex embedded software systems.
• Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code across languages.
• Lead code reviews, debugging, and issue triage to ensure reliability.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices across the team.

Skills

Embedded software

C/C++

RTOS

Leadership

Agile/Scrum

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Git

Job description

Sierra Space Careers

Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

About the Role The Senior Embedded Software Engineer role at Sierra Space brings extensive experience and deep expertise to the design, development, and architecture of complex embedded software systems. This role requires strong leadership abilities to guide a team of engineers and the capability to make high-level design decisions that significantly impact program cost, schedule, and technical performance. The position is critical in driving innovation and ensuring the reliability and performance of embedded systems while working both independently and collaboratively. Additionally, the role involves evaluating and integrating new technologies and tools to enhance software development processes, contributing to the continuous improvement of the engineering team's capabilities. In this role, you will design, architect, and develop complex embedded software systems, ensuring reliability and scalability. You will write clean, maintainable, and efficient code in multiple programming languages, adhering to best practices and coding standards. Debugging and troubleshooting critical software issues will be central to your responsibilities, ensuring smooth functionality and system performance. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will ensure software meets system requirements and performance standards. You will utilize version control systems such as Git for software development and collaboration, enabling seamless teamwork and code management. Additionally, you will document software architectures, designs, specifications, and development processes comprehensively for future reference and team alignment. Mentoring and guiding junior and intermediate engineers will be an integral part of your role, promoting best practices and fostering professional growth. Leading and implementing various software development methodologies such as Agile and Kanban, you will maintain an organized and efficient workflow. Furthermore, you will evaluate and integrate new technologies and tools to enhance software development processes, driving innovation and continuous improvement. Providing leadership in design reviews, you will make high-level design decisions that significantly impact program cost, schedule, and technical performance, ensuring successful outcomes for challenging and impactful projects.

About You

About You Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +6 yrs experience).
• Typically 8+ years of related experience.
• Deep expertise in multiple programming languages and advanced understanding of software development principles.
• Proven ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems.
• Experience with different software development methodologies such as Agile and Scrum/Kanban.
• Strong leadership skills to lead a team of engineers.
• Ability to make high-level design decisions that will have significant impacts on program cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux.
• Deep knowledge of hardware interfaces and communication protocols (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, CAN).
• Proficiency with advanced debugging tools and techniques specific to embedded systems.
• Experience leading large-scale projects or significant contributions to complex software initiatives.
• Strong ability to stay current with new technologies and methodologies.
• Familiarity with the complete software development life cycle (SDLC) and its various processes.
• Understanding of memory, timing, and throughput constraints in an embedded system and ensure robust and sound designs that address these issues.

Compensation

Pay Range: $156,666.00 - $215,436.75. Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

Elevate Your Career

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations. We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

• medical
• dental
• vision plans
• 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
• life insurance
• 3 weeks paid time off
• more

Application Deadline

This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission‑proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions. With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight‑proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies. Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth. Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.