Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

About Astro Digital

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Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado with roughly 100 employees and infrastructure around the globe.

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We move fast, deliver on time, and continuously improve systems in orbit and on the ground. We value engineers who take ownership, think in systems, and iterate toward robust solutions.

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Position Summary

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We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to develop low-level software that directly interfaces with hardware across spacecraft subsystems and supporting electronics.

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This role is well-suited for an engineer with solid foundational experience who can operate independently on day-to-day tasks, while continuing to grow in system design and large-scale integration efforts with guidance from senior engineers.

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Candidate will be expected to deliver working software quickly, contribute to hardware bring-up and debugging, and build a deeper understanding of how individual components interact within larger systems. This role is primarily on-site at our Littleton, Colorado headquarters or at our facility in San Jose, California, with limited remote work flexibility.

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Primary Duties & Responsibilities

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• Develop and maintain embedded software for spacecraft subsystems, including sensors, actuators, power systems, and communication interfaces
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• Write and debug low-level drivers and board support code
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• Interface directly with hardware (SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, DMA)
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• Support hardware bring-up and debugging using lab equipment and standard tools
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• Deliver working implementations quickly and iterate to improve reliability, performance, and maintainability
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• Debug embedded systems using tools such as GDB, JTAG, and SWD
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• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and refine system interfaces
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• Participate in integration, HIL testing, and system validation
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• Contribute to Python-based test, automation, and data analysis workflows
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Minimum Qualifications

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• Bachelor’s degree in EE, CE, CS, or related field
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• 5 years of embedded software experience
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• Proficiency in C and modern C++
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• Experience developing firmware in bare-metal or minimally abstracted environments
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• Strong understanding of:
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• Interrupt-driven design
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• Memory-mapped I/O and peripheral configuration
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• Timing and resource constraints
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• Experience writing low-level drivers and interfacing with hardware peripherals (SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, DMA)
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• Ability to work from datasheets/reference manuals to configure and debug hardware
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• Experience debugging embedded systems using:
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• Software tools (e.g., GDB, JTAG/SWD)
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• Lab equipment (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter)
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• Familiarity with RTOS concepts (threads, scheduling, synchronization)
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• Exposure to embedded Linux development environments
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• Experience with Git-based workflows
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• Ability to execute well-scoped tasks independently and deliver reliable results
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Preferred Qualifications

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• Experience developing firmware for resource-constrained microcontrollers in bare-metal environments
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• Comfort working at low levels of abstraction, including direct register manipulation and hardware bring-up
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• Experience with RTOS frameworks (e.g., Zephyr, FreeRTOS) and associated design trade-offs
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• Experience working across abstraction layers (bare-metal, RTOS, embedded Linux)
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• Familiarity with embedded Linux tools and workflows (e.g., cross-compilation, build systems)
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• Experience bringing up new hardware, including initialization and early-stage debugging
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• Experience optimizing firmware for memory, timing, or power constraints
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• Familiarity with ARM-based platforms (Cortex-M, Cortex-A) or similar
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• Experience with integration, HIL testing, or cross-subsystem debugging
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• Exposure to CI/CD or automated testing workflows
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What We Value

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• Ownership of day-to-day work : Candidate reliably executes assigned tasks and follows issues through to resolution
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• Growth mindset : Candidate actively develops technical depth and takes on increasing responsibility over time
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• System-oriented thinking : Candidate seeks to understand how components interact within a larger system, including trade-offs and dependencies
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• Curiosity and critical thinking : Candidate asks “why” when appropriate—challenging assumptions, clarifying requirements, and improving designs
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• Bias toward action : Candidate delivers working solutions quickly and iterates based on testing and feedback
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• Collaboration : Candidate works effectively across disciplines and incorporates feedback from more experienced engineers
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Pay Transparency

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Astro Digital employees are provided with a comprehensive benefits package that includes company stock options, healthcare, 401k retirement plan, and PTO. The range of possible compensation for this role is $130k–$175k annually, depending on experience and alignment.

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Physical Demands

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This position may require lifting up to 20 lbs and occasional standing, bending, and working with lab equipment.

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Export Statement

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This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 22 CFR §120.15 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.