Senior Embedded Engineer - Space Systems

Senior Embedded Engineer - Space Systems

Location: Seattle, WA

Work Arrangement: Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Engineer - Space Systems to architect and implement high-reliability embedded software for satellite systems.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role working closely with hardware, RF, digital design, mechanical, and operations teams. The engineer will help translate system-level requirements into robust embedded solutions designed for demanding space environments.

This role spans the full embedded software stack, from low-level device drivers to application-level software supporting satellite operations, telemetry, command and data handling, and autonomous functionality.

Responsibilities

• Write high-quality, maintainable code in Python and C for satellite command scripts and performance-critical embedded applications.
• Design, implement, and maintain embedded Linux systems for satellite payloads.
• Support kernel configuration, driver development, system optimization, and resource-constrained hardware environments.
• Develop and debug low-level drivers for interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, and related protocols.
• Work with peripherals and hardware components including ADCs, DACs, DDR memory controllers, and custom hardware.
• Contribute to satellite flight software architecture, including command and data handling, telemetry systems, and autonomous operations.
• Lead board bring-up activities for new hardware in partnership with electrical engineering teams.
• Validate designs, debug interfaces, and commission new embedded systems.
• Design software with awareness of space-related constraints such as radiation effects, thermal conditions, and power budgets.
• Use tools such as Git, Jira, Confluence, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debuggers.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with RF, digital design, mechanical, software, and operations teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of embedded systems experience delivering software for production hardware.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, space systems, or another high-reliability domain preferred.
• Expert-level C programming skills for embedded systems, including memory management, real-time constraints, and optimization.
• Strong Python skills for scripting, automation, test frameworks, and ground system integration.
• Solid experience with embedded Linux, including kernel configuration, device drivers, Buildroot, Yocto, or similar tools.
• Strong hardware interface experience with SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, ADCs, DACs, and memory interfaces.
• Hands-on debugging experience using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG debuggers, and related lab equipment.
• Ability to work across architecture, implementation, hardware bring-up, and debugging.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts across engineering teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with evolving system requirements.

Nice to Have

• Experience designing software for space environments.
• Familiarity with radiation effects, thermal management, power constraints, single-event effects, or related space-system considerations.
• Experience interfacing with or developing alongside FPGAs.
• Familiarity with AXI, PCIe, register-mapped peripherals, custom parallel buses, or embedded Linux/bare-metal FPGA integration.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior hands-on embedded engineer who can move between architecture, coding, hardware bring-up, and debugging. This person should be comfortable owning technical decisions, working directly with real hardware, and building reliable embedded software for complex systems operating in demanding environments.