Staff Embedded Software Designer

Kepler Communications; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan to share in success

Health, dental, and vision insurance (

Unlimited vacation and parental leave

Semi-annual company-wide parties

Relocation packages available

$1,500 annual professional development

Toronto office kitchen stocked

Company-wide events

Great Place to Work® certification

Job summary

Kepler Communications in Toronto is seeking a senior Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain software for spacecraft and ground-based assets as part of a growing satellite fleet.

You will work with Linux, C/C++, embedded architectures, and contribute to architecture discussions, tests, and documentation, with opportunities to mentor juniors and collaborate across time zones.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of embedded software development experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in C and modern C++.
• Experience with embedded Linux environments.
• Experience with OS internals: concurrency, IPC, synchronization, memory management, hardware/software interfaces.
• Experience integrating and debugging complex software across multiple layers.
• Experience with embedded build systems and toolchains (Yocto/OpenEmbedded, Buildroot, CMake).
• Ability to debug and optimize software in resource-constrained environments.
• Strong communication and collaboration in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work across distributed teams and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded software for spacecraft and ground-based systems.
• Work on Linux networking infrastructure (routing, control-plane, dataplane).
• Develop software for FPGA-based platforms (bring-up, drivers, memory-mapped interfaces).
• Create automated tests, validation tools, and technical documentation.
• Participate in architecture reviews, design reviews, and code reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system requirements and debug issues.
• Identify performance and reliability gaps and drive improvements.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers while upholding development standards.

Skills

8+ years embedded software

C and C++

Embedded Linux

OS internals: concurrency IPC memory

Debugging complex systems

Yocto/OpenEmbedded Buildroot

CMake

Linux networking (netlink)

Cross-functional teamwork

Distributed teams/time zones

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Tools

Yocto/OpenEmbedded

Buildroot

CMake

RTOS/embedded networking knowledge

Job description

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it!

Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.

Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries ofwhat’spossible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, andwe’recommitted to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.

Ifyou’reready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!

What We Offer:

* Competitive compensationwith a robust equity plan to share in our success.

* Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.

* Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy,and company-wide holiday shutdown.

* Semi-annual company-wide partiesand frequent in-office team events.

* Relocation packagesavailable for approved roles.

* $1,500 annual professional development fundto support your growth.

* Fully stocked Toronto office kitchenwith snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.

* Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide eventsto stay connected and engaged.

* We’re a certifiedGreat Place to Work®, seven years in a row!

We're on the hunt for a top-tier Embedded Software Engineer. Your focus will be on software development and maintenance required for both space and ground-based assets for a growing fleet of spacecraft. You'll be relied upon for input and decisions that will directly impact design and operation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, andmaintainreliable, high-quality embedded software for both spacecraft and ground-based systems supporting a growing fleet of satellites
• Linux networking infrastructure, including routing, control-plane, anddataplaneintegration
• Developing software for FPGA-based platforms, including bring-up, driver integration, and optimization of memory-mapped interfaces between processing cores and custom IP.
• Develop automated tests, validation tools, and technical documentation to support robust software delivery and long-term maintainability
• Participate in software architecture discussions, design reviews, and code reviews to ensure software quality and system reliability
• Collaborate closely withcross-functionalteams to define system requirements, debug complex issues, and evolve system architecture
• Identifyperformance gaps, reliability risks, and architectural shortcomings in existing systems, and drive improvements across the software stack
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to junior engineers while contributing to engineering best practices and development standards

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 8+ years of embedded software development experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Strongproficiencyin C and modern C++
• Experience developing software for embedded Linux environments
• Experience working close to operating system internals, including concurrency, IPC, synchronization, memory management, and hardware/software interfaces
• Experience integrating and debugging complex software systems across multiple abstraction layers
• Experience with embedded build systems and toolchains such asYocto/OpenEmbedded,Buildroot,CMake, or similar
• Ability to debug andoptimizesoftware in resource-constrained or performance-sensitive environments
• Strong communicationand collaboration skills in cross-functional engineering environments
• Ability to work effectively across distributed teams and time zones

Bonus Points:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Experience developing software for aerospace applications
• Experience implementing embedded security solutions such as secure boot, hardware security modules (HSMs), certificate/key management, authentication, or encrypted communications
• Familiarity with Linux networking concepts and infrastructure, including routing, interfaces,netlink, or packet-processing pipelines
• Experience developing multi-stage bootloaders
• Strong knowledge of computer networking and modern networking protocols
• Experience with RTL (Verilog and/or VHDL) and embedded SoCs

Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement

Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at [e-mail], and we will work with you to meet your needs.