Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Lunar Outpost Inc.; Golden, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

3 weeks PTO

401(k) match

11 holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost Inc. seeks a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain real-time embedded software for space robotics and planetary vehicles. Work on RTOS platforms and collaborate with hardware teams to ensure reliable, mission-critical performance.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of embedded experience, strong C skills, and familiarity with spacecraft data handling and telemetry. U.S. Person required with a track record of meeting tight deadlines in a startup setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in embedded software or avionics systems for space or mission-critical robotics applications.
• Experience with at least one RTOS-based system (e.g., VxWorks, FreeRTOS, RTEMS, or similar).
• Understanding of real-time systems concepts (task scheduling, interrupts, memory constraints).
• Experience with software integration and testing on hardware platforms.
• Proficiency in C for embedded systems.
• Familiarity with spacecraft data handling, telemetry/command processing, and networking.
• Self-motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• U.S. Person.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded and flight software for real-time systems
• Implement software on RTOS-based platforms (e.g., VxWorks, RTEMS, or similar)
• Support development of flight software applications, including command/telemetry handling and system control logic
• Develop and integrate device drivers and hardware abstraction layers
• Collaborate with hardware and systems engineers to integrate software with embedded platforms
• Assist with system integration, testing, and validation, including simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments
• Debug and troubleshoot issues related to performance, timing, and system interaction
• Contribute to documentation, including design descriptions and test procedures

Skills

Embedded software

Avionics systems

C programming

RTOS experience

Real-time systems

Software integration

Hardware interaction

US Person

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering or related field

Tools

VxWorks

FreeRTOS

RTEMS

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a permanent presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. Currently, we are seeking aStaff Embedded Software Engineerto contribute to our mission in a dynamic startup environment. The mainresponsibilitiesoftheStaff Embedded Software Engineeristo develop software for roboticsystems, ensuring the system meets stringent real-time, safety andreliability requirements for crewed and autonomous space operations.

Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Pegasus LTV, which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded and flight software for real-time systems
• Implement software on RTOS-based platforms (e.g., VxWorks, RTEMS, or similar)
• Support development of flight software applications, including command/telemetry handling and system control logic
• Develop and integrate device drivers and hardware abstraction layers
• Collaborate with hardware and systems engineers to integrate software with embedded platforms
• Assist with system integration, testing, and validation, including simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments
• Debug and troubleshoot issues related to performance, timing, and system interaction
• Contribute to documentation, including design descriptions and test procedures

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering or related field
• 5+ years in embedded software or avionics systems for space or mission-critical robotics applications
• Experience with at least one RTOS-based system (e.g., VxWorks, FreeRTOS, RTEMS, or similar)
• Understanding of real-time systems concepts (task scheduling, interrupts, memory constraints)
• Experience with software integration and testing on hardware platforms
• Proficiency in C for embedded systems
• Familiarity with spacecraft data handling, telemetry/command processing, and networking
• Self-motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• U.S. Person

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with device driver development or board support packages (BSPs)
• Experience with flight software frameworks such as NASA cFS or similar architectures
• Experience with robotics platforms for planetary exploration, surface mobility, or space station operations
• Experience working with simulation tools or hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Knowledge of fault-tolerant or safety-critical software design principles
• Experience with GNC software integration in robotic or spacecraft systems
• Prior work with crewed vehicle avionics architecture or planetary robotics
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and task planning

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
• Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
• Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
• Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.