Linux Low-Level Software Engineer

Simera Sense; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 650 000 - 850 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Somerset West is seeking an experienced Linux Low-Level Software Engineer. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain robust embedded software for space-grade hardware. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience, strong skills in kernel development, and a passion for cutting-edge technology. The company offers a competitive salary and a friendly working environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Opportunity to work in the fast-growing space industry

Friendly working environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability domains.
• Hands-on experience building and customizing Linux distributions for embedded platforms.
• Experience with real-time operating systems or real-time Linux.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop Linux-based embedded software for space-grade hardware.
• Integrate kernel modules and device drivers tailored for mission-critical applications.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of software under simulated space conditions.

Skills

Linux kernel development

Device driver development

C/C++ programming

Real-time systems

Embedded software testing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

Yocto

Buildroot

HIL testing frameworks

Job description

Linux Low-Level Software Engineer

Simera Sense is a leading provider of Earth observation camera solutions for the global small satellite market. Committed to excellence and innovation, we deliver superior products and services to our worldwide customer base. Our Holdings Company is in Belgium, and our South African company is based in Somerset West, close to all amenities and diverse natural beauty, providing great lifestyle options.

Are you passionate about building robust, high-performance systems from the ground up? We’re seeking a skilled Linux Low-Level Software Engineer to design and optimize software that powers mission-critical applications. In this role, you’ll work on kernel-level development, device drivers, and performance tuning to ensure our solutions run seamlessly on Linux platforms. If you thrive in solving complex technical challenges and want to make an impact in cutting-edge technology, this is the opportunity for you.

Job Purpose

Design, develop, and maintain robust, efficient, and secure low-level Linux-based embedded software for edge computing platforms deployed in orbit, ensuring system reliability, fault tolerance, and optimal performance under extreme space conditions.

Responsibilities

System Architecture & Platform Integration

• Develop and maintain custom Linux distributions (Yocto) tailored for space-grade hardware.
• Integrate kernel modules, device drivers, and board support packages (BSPs) for radiation-hardened processors and microcontrollers.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to align software with board-level specifications and constraints.

Kernel & Driver Development

• Customize and optimize the Linux kernel for real-time performance and minimal resource usage.
• Develop and maintain device drivers for sensors, communication interfaces (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C), and specialized space hardware.
• Implement power management and thermal control strategies at the kernel level.

Embedded Software Reliability

• Design fault-tolerant software systems capable of autonomous recovery and graceful degradation.
• Implement watchdogs, health monitoring, and telemetry reporting mechanisms.
• Conduct rigorous testing (unit, integration, HIL) to validate software under simulated space conditions.

Security & Hardening

• Apply secure boot, kernel hardening, and sandboxing techniques to protect against unauthorized access and system compromise.
• Ensure compliance with space cybersecurity standards and protocols.
• Monitor and patch vulnerabilities in deployed systems via secure OTA updates.

Performance Optimization

• Profile and optimize system performance for constrained environments (CPU, memory, power).
• Implement efficient data handling pipelines for edge AI/ML workloads and telemetry processing.
• Support real-time scheduling and deterministic behaviour for mission-critical tasks.

Collaboration & Documentation

• Work closely with mission software, AI/ML, and ground control teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Maintain detailed documentation of system architecture, configurations, and operational procedures.
• Participate in design reviews, code audits, and mission readiness assessments.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree Computer Engineering, or Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or Computer Science, or Mechatronics Engineering

Required Experience

5+ years of experience, especially in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability domains.

Embedded Linux Development

• Hands‑on experience building and customizing Linux distributions (e.g., Yocto, Buildroot) for embedded platforms.
• Experience with kernel configuration, patching, and driver development.

Low‑Level Programming

• Strong experience in C/C++ for hardware‑near programming.
• Familiarity with assembly language and debugging at the register level is a plus.

Real‑Time and Mission‑Critical Systems

• Experience developing software for real‑time operating systems (RTOS) or real‑time Linux.
• Proven track record in designing fault‑tolerant, deterministic systems for aerospace, automotive, or industrial control.

Hardware‑Software Integration

• Experience working closely with hardware teams to bring up new boards and debug hardware/software interactions.
• Familiarity with board support packages (BSPs), bootloaders (e.g., U‑Boot), and peripheral interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN).

Space or Harsh Environment Systems (Highly Preferred)

• Prior experience developing software for space‑grade or radiation‑hardened systems.
• Understanding of space system constraints such as limited power, thermal management, and radiation effects.

Security and Reliability

• Experience implementing secure boot, system hardening, and secure communication protocols.
• Familiarity with OTA update mechanisms and system recovery strategies.

Testing and Validation

• Experience with automated testing frameworks, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing, and simulation environments.
• Exposure to formal verification or model‑based design is a plus.

Recommendations

Academic Background

• Postgraduate Degree (MSc or PhD) in Embedded Systems, Real‑Time Systems, or Space Systems Engineering — especially for roles involving mission‑critical software or research‑heavy development.
• Certifications in Embedded Linux, RTOS, or cybersecurity (e.g., CompTIA Security+, Linux Foundation Certified Engineer) may be valued but are not typically mandatory.

Domain‑Specific Experience

• Prior experience in space systems engineering, satellite software development, or aerospace‑grade embedded systems.
• Familiarity with radiation‑hardened processors, fault‑tolerant architectures, and space‑qualified hardware.

Advanced Technical Skills

• Experience with real‑time Linux or RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks) in mission‑critical applications.
• Knowledge of RISC‑V, ARM Cortex‑R/M, or FPGA‑based platforms.
• Exposure to formal verification, model‑based design, or safety‑critical software certification standards (e.g., ECSS, DO‑178C).

Security Expertise

• Hands‑on experience with secure boot, TPM, SELinux, or other kernel‑level security mechanisms.
• Understanding of space cybersecurity standards and secure OTA update systems.

AI/ML Integration

• Experience integrating AI/ML workloads on embedded platforms for autonomous decision‑making in orbit.
• Familiarity with edge inference frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow Lite, ONNX Runtime) optimized for embedded Linux.

Tooling and Automation

• Proficiency with CI/CD pipelines for embedded systems (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins, Buildbot).
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments for space conditions.

Communication Protocols

• Knowledge of space communication standards (e.g., CCSDS, DTN, SLE).
• Experience with inter‑satellite links, ground station interfaces, or custom telemetry protocols.

System Programming

Familiarity with io_uring.

Special requirement(s)

Willingness to travel overseas.

What we offer

• The opportunity to work in the fast-growing space industry.
• Niche global market for optical payloads for microsatellites.
• Cutting‑edge technology at your fingertips
• A competitive salary
• A friendly working environment.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply now by submitting your CV and cover letter.