Staff Embedded Software Engineer - Middleware | Lunar Outpost

EVONA; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401(k) employer match

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost invites a Staff Embedded Software Engineer - Middleware to advance kernel-level software for space robotics and avionics. You will lead kernel development, certify OS configurations for crewed and autonomous missions, and mentor engineers in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment.

Join a pioneering aerospace team pushing the frontier of lunar and planetary exploration with cutting-edge hardware and software integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer or electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in embedded software or avionics for space or robotics.
• 3+ years in Linux kernel setup, configuration, and BSP customization.
• Hands-on board bring-up experience for avionics or robotics hardware.
• Proficient in C for embedded systems.
• Experience with real-time debugging, timing analysis, and performance optimization.
• Experience with SPI, RS485/422, ADCs, Spacewire.
• Experience with deterministic networking, SMP and safety-critical software architecture.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• US Person

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority for kernel configuration and deployment on robotics avionics platforms.
• Design, implement, integrate and maintain kernel-based software for space avionics.
• Perform board bring-up for new avionics hardware, including processor init and bootloader config.
• Implement task scheduling, memory partitioning, and time partitioning per safety standards.
• Develop and integrate device drivers for rover avionics subsystems.
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, and robotics teams to define fault-tolerant OS configurations.
• Support hardware/software integration using models, simulators and HIL testbeds.
• Document OS configuration and procedures to flight-certifiable standards.

Skills

C programming

Linux kernel

Real-time systems

Embedded software

Project mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer or electrical engineering

Tools

VxWorks

OCI containerization

BSP customization

Spacewire interfaces

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Our exciting Space client, Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join their team! The company 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 the client's mission in a dynamic startup environment. The main responsibility of the Staff Embedded Software Engineer - Middlewareis to act as a 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 a 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+ 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:

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

This is an exciting opportunity to join a pioneering aerospace organization focused on enabling the future of lunar and planetary exploration. The role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies that support next-generation space missions in a collaborative and innovative environment.