Staff Embedded Software Engineer - Middleware

Lunar Outpost; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement opportunities

Job summary

Lunar Outpost in Golden, Colorado, is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer - Middleware to lead development of Linux Kernels for advanced space robotic applications. The role includes mentoring engineers and ensuring system reliability for space operations.

Key qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering, at least 5 years of embedded software experience, and hands-on board bring-up for avionics hardware. The position offers comprehensive health coverage, paid time off, and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in embedded software or avionics systems for space or mission-critical robotics applications.
• 3+ years in Linux kernel setup, configuration, and BSP customization.
• Hands-on board bring-up experience for avionics or robotics hardware.

Responsibilities

• Act as subject matter expert in developing Linux Kernels for advanced space robotic applications.
• Lead kernel development efforts and mentor engineers on best practices.
• Support hardware/software integration using engineering models and hardware-in-the-loop testbeds.

Skills

Embedded software development

Linux kernel configuration

C programming

Real-time debugging

Board bring-up

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering

Tools

Linux

VxWorks

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 a Staff Embedded Software Engineer - Middleware to contribute to our mission in a dynamic startup environment.

The main responsibility of the Embedded Software Engineer is to act as subject matter expert in developing Linux Kernels for advanced space robotic applications. They will lead kernel development efforts and mentor engineers on best practices, ensuring the system meets stringent safety and reliability requirements for crewed and autonomous space operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for kernel configuration and deployment on robotics-based avionics platforms
• Design, implement, integrate and maintain kernel-based software for space avionics
• Perform board bring‑up for new avionics hardware, including processor initialization, bootloader configuration, and peripheral driver development
• Implement task scheduling, memory partitioning, and time partitioning in alignment with mission safety standards
• Develop and integrate device drivers for rover avionics subsystems
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, and robotics teams to define and implement fault‑tolerant operating system configurations
• Support hardware/software integration using engineering models, simulators and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testbeds
• Document OS configuration, integration steps, operational procedures to flight‑certifiable standards

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
• 3+ years in Linux kernel setup, configuration and BSP customization
• Hands‑on board bring‑up experience for avionics or robotics hardware
• Strong proficiency in C for embedded system development
• Experience with real‑time debugging, timing analysis and performance optimization
• Experience working with SPI, RS485/422, ADCs, Spacewire
• Experience with deterministic networking, symmetric multiprocessors (SMP) and safety‑critical software architecture
• Self‑motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• U.S. Person

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior work with crewed vehicle avionics architecture or planetary robotics
• Time‑sensitive Networking (TSN) protocol configuration and validation for deterministic ethernet
• Experience working with NASA core flight system (cFS)
• Familiarity with space mission development phases and associated documentation and standards
• Experience with VxWorks 7 DKMs and RTPs
• Experience with OCI containerization

Compensation & Benefits

• 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

Any offer of employment for this position is conditional upon Lunar Outpost receiving the LTVS SubCLIN 1C Award from NASA. If the contract is not awarded to Lunar Outpost, this offer will be considered null and void, without further obligation to Lunar Outpost.

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.