Senior Embedded Software Engineer

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to join our Platform team supporting Spacecraft Operations. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting other disciplines by focusing on the embedded software aspects of our satellite systems. The Platform team interfaces directly with many engineering groups to conduct R&D, design, manufacturing, and operations activities, ultimately ensuring all current and future spacecraft systems satisfy their mission.

Ideal candidates will embrace the commercialization of nanosatellite systems and adapt to low-cost, fast-paced systems design, development, and implementation methodologies that set Spire apart from our competition. In this fast-paced environment, the design to launch cycle is measured in weeks and months, not years!

What You’ll Do as a Senior Embedded Software Engineer:

- Design, implement and test, deploy and maintain embedded firmware

- Collaborate with other engineering functions on scoping, architecture and system design

- Resolve on-orbit and on-ground issues related to embedded systems

- Implement, optimize and maintain various serial protocols

- Design and develop interface tools to improve abstraction between the embedded system and other satellite components

- Debug and resolve complex embedded systems issues in a timely manner

- Write and maintain technical documentation

Key Skills:

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field

- Mastery of Embedded C programming language

- Proficiency with scripting languages like Python and Bash

- Extensive experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), specifically FreeRTOS

- Familiarity with serial protocols and implementations

- Strong problem-solving skills, particularly in debugging embedded systems

- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git)

- Experience developing on Linux (Ubuntu)

- A base level of mathematical knowledge (engineering mathematic or similar)

- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities

Preferred Skills:

- Experience with space systems or satellite technology

- Familiarity working to coding standards and using static analysis tools

- Experience writing Rust for resource constrained environments (embedded Linux)

- Experience with embedded Linux

- Knowledge of control systems and algorithms

Tools and Technologies:

- FreeRTOS for real-time operating system implementation

- GNU ARM Embedded Toolchain for code compilation

- GDB for debugging, complemented by extensive use of serial and/or CAN debugging

- Experience with debugging techniques for systems without JTAG access, particularly for remote issue resolution