Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Senior Embedded Software Engineer – Secure Systems

Department: Software

Reports To: Software Engineering Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

Active U.S. Security Clearance: required

Location: San Diego, CA

Work Arrangement: Full-Time, Onsite

Relocation: Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer – Cyber to design, develop, and integrate advanced cyber-secure embedded software solutions for satellite avionics and payload data processing systems.

This role will focus on real-time system monitoring, creating and updating Linux board support packages, and developing low-level interfaces for sensors, communication buses, radios, and COMSEC equipment.

You will work closely with Systems, Hardware, and FPGA engineers to design and develop highly secure, rugged, reliable, and Low-Size, Weight, and Power (Low-SWaP) products for aerospace customers.

As a senior member of the engineering team, you will also provide technical mentorship and Subject Matter Expert-level guidance to members of the development and test teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and implement embedded software for multi-core processors integrated with FPGAs, across a range of FPGA-integrated processor platforms.
• Develop software for ARM Cortex and RISC-V processor architectures.
• Implement C/C++ code for Embedded Linux, Linux networking, and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Configure and customize Linux kernels, system settings, and bootloaders such as U-Boot and GRUB.
• Implement RFC-compliant networking and security protocols including IP, TLS, and IPsec.
• Integrate embedded software with interconnect standards including SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, PCI, PCIe, Ethernet, and SpaceWire.
• Apply cryptographic systems including AES, RSA, ECDSA, and ECDH to ensure secure software solutions.
• Lead the development and testing of reusable, high-quality embedded software modules.
• Ensure secure-system best practices are followed at the architecture, design, and code levels.
• Translate complex system and customer requirements into robust software designs.
• Interpret government security standards as they apply to the design and development of embedded products.
• Support integration and debugging of software with hardware platforms.
• Track features, defects, and releases through formal software configuration and release processes.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development practices and team workflows.
• Mentor and support junior engineers through design reviews, code walkthroughs, and technical guidance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 9+ years of related experience developing embedded software.
• Advanced proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems and low-level driver development.
• Deep experience with Embedded Linux systems, kernel configuration, and system bootloaders.
• Strong understanding of RTOS-based development and real-time constraints.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting schematics and hardware documentation for driver development.
• Proficiency with networking and communication protocols, including the implementation of secure communication standards.
• Familiarity with cryptographic principles and their application in embedded systems.
• Experience with software integration, debugging, and system-level validation.
• Excellent problem-solving, documentation, and technical communication skills.
• Proven ability to mentor and support junior engineers in a collaborative environment.
• Active U.S. Security Clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with satellite, spacecraft, avionics, or defense systems.
• Experience working with FPGA-integrated processor platforms.
• Experience with COMSEC equipment or secure communications systems.
• Familiarity with parallel-processing frameworks such as OpenCL or CUDA.
• Experience developing ruggedized or Low-SWaP embedded systems.