FPGA SoC Embedded Engineer

About the role

Orbital Firmware Engineer

E-Space invites you to pioneer a new era of global connectivity. Our mission is to make data from orbit accessible, secure, and valuable for every industry. We are constructing a next-generation Low Earth orbit constellation designed to revolutionize how the Internet of Things scales. This infrastructure will redefine the economics and reliability of connecting remote assets anywhere on Earth or in space. We are a team defined by intention and relentless curiosity. Our commitment is to engineer space-based networks that deliver intelligence, drive economic growth, and safeguard our planet. We are seeking a dedicated Embedded Firmware Engineer to join this ambitious effort. You will be responsible for crafting the real-time software backbone of our satellite infrastructure. Success in this role requires fluency in both software logic and the realities of hardware interaction.

About the Position

In this capacity, you will architect and maintain critical modules for our orbital platforms. The position grants ownership of the firmware stack across multiple satellite subsystems. You will work in close partnership with hardware engineering groups to ensure seamless integration. Your daily work will exist at the boundary of digital design and aerospace-grade reliability.

Primary Responsibilities

Developing communication protocols optimized for the unique constraints of LEO orbits.

Writing low-level device drivers that synchronize with real-time operating system schedulers.

Collaborating with hardware teams to validate register maps and timing specifications.

Creating robust boot sequences and secure firmware update mechanisms for radiation-hardened silicon.

Analyzing system metrics to guarantee latency requirements are met in varying orbital conditions.

Verifying the interface stability between programmable fabrics and processing units.

Producing detailed technical documentation for ground station operators and integration teams.

Working with mission analytics to define telemetry formats for control center displays.

Qualifications

Possess a minimum of three years experience developing firmware for commercial System on Chip products.

Demonstrate advanced proficiency with SoC platforms from leading semiconductor vendors.

Adept at navigating complex constraints imposed by both software and physical hardware.

History of working with real-time operating systems and register-level debug techniques.

Compensation and Location

This is a full-time position based in Saratoga, California. The salary range is one hundred forty thousand dollars to one hundred eighty thousand dollars. Exact details regarding benefits and equity are available on the official application page.

Required Expertise

Your expertise must include direct work with System on Chip devices. You must be comfortable writing software for platforms where processing units reside alongside programmable logic. Specific experience with devices from semiconductor leaders is mandatory. You should be prepared to engage with both the software frameworks and the hardware specifications throughout the development lifecycle.

Optional Skills

While not required, experience with specific development tools is beneficial. Familiarity with verification methodologies and automated testing frameworks is a strong advantage. Background in high-assurance environments is viewed positively.

Next Steps

If you are excited by the challenge of building the infrastructure for space-based IoT, we encourage you to apply. Please confirm specific application procedures on the official career portal. Joining E-Space means joining a mission to connect the world from the final frontier.

What you'll do

• Execute the responsibilities outlined for as detailed in the official posting.
• Adhere to the scope and requirements specified
• Develop and maintain firmware modules for satellite subsystems, ensuring alignment with hardware constraints and mission objectives.
• Implement low-level drivers and communication protocols that operate reliably within LEO orbital parameters.
• Collaborate with cross-functional hardware and software teams to validate system integration and performance.
• Create and maintain bootloaders, firmware update mechanisms, and security features for radiation-hardened platforms.
• Analyze and optimize system latency, throughput, and reliability under varying space environmental conditions.
• Verify interface stability between programmable fabrics and processing units through rigorous testing.
• Produce comprehensive technical documentation for ground station operations and integration teams.
• Define telemetry formats and control center display specifications in collaboration with mission analytics teams.

Requirements

• Minimum of three years professional experience developing firmware for commercial System on Chip products.
• Advanced proficiency with SoC platforms from major semiconductor vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex constraints of software and physical hardware integration.
• Proven experience with real-time operating systems and register-level debugging methodologies.
• Direct work with System on Chip devices where processing units and programmable logic coexist.
• Mandatory experience with semiconductor devices from industry-leading manufacturers.
• Capability to engage with software frameworks and hardware specifications across the full development lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of communication protocols in resource-constrained, latency-sensitive environments.
• Experience with verification methodologies and automated testing frameworks (preferred).
• Background in high-assurance or safety-critical environments (viewed positively).