Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Secure SystemsDepartment: 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 SummaryWe 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.
