SoC Firmware Engineer

About the role

Embedded Software Engineer, LEO IoT Constellation

E-Space is constructing a new orbital layer for global connectivity, making the Internet of Things universally accessible, secure, and actionable from space. Our mission is to bridge Earth and orbit, enabling hyper-scaled IoT deployments that redefine the economics and performance of satellite and terrestrial systems. We are a team defined by intense curiosity, unwavering commitment, and a focus on delivering actionable intelligence that strengthens economies, protects the planet, and improves life on Earth.

We are currently seeking a highly skilled Embedded Software Engineer to join this mission. This position is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing low-level software where hardware and software performance are inseparable. The role requires close partnership with hardware engineers to define firmware architecture, drive the bring-up of flight silicon, and ensure seamless integration across the entire embedded stack, from the Board Support Package and peripheral drivers through to real-time operating system services and platform-level software. Your work will directly shape how connectivity functions in orbit.

This is a full-time position based in Saratoga, California. The compensation package includes a base salary of $160,000, with a total expected value of $240,000. Candidates must be United States citizens to meet the requirements for security clearance.

Core Responsibilities

You will own the firmware lifecycle from the first line of code to deployment in low Earth orbit, acting as the primary liaison between silicon and service behavior. The role demands intensive collaboration with silicon and hardware teams to stabilize drivers and define robust interfaces that must withstand the realities of space missions. You will translate demanding mission profiles into resilient, deterministic code paths that ensure the LEO communication stack remains predictable and reliable under all conditions.

• Designing and defining intricate silicon interaction details with hardware partners to ensure drivers align perfectly with physical modules and flight hardware.
• Implementing boot sequences and communication stacks that must meet strict timing constraints and absolute reliability targets.
• Coordinating verification and validation routines with ground operations teams to confirm correct node behavior and system health before launch.
• Refactoring data movement and processing logic to handle high-throughput sensor and telemetry streams while preserving deterministic execution and minimal latency.
• Partnering with analytics and data teams to structure telemetry and command formats that enable rapid anomaly detection and in-orbit troubleshooting.
• Guiding the integration flow from initial board test procedures through to final orbital activation, creating disciplined documentation for every step.
• Validating power budgets and thermal performance under worst-case operational scenarios to prevent in-orbit failures.
• Tracking and enforcing compliance with stringent safety, reliability, and mission constraints while enabling configurable feature sets for different customer needs.

Required Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you must possess a specific blend of technical skill and professional experience. You are a seasoned firmware engineer with 3 to 5 years of proven experience crafting software for deeply embedded environments. You have hands-on expertise with the C programming language and bare-metal software development, free from the abstractions of a full OS. You are comfortable interacting directly with digital logic using instruments and registers to diagnose and solve complex issues.

A deep understanding of communication protocols common in satellite, aerospace, and industrial networks is essential. You possess the ability to read complex datasheets and reference manuals to resolve ambiguous interface behaviors and make critical implementation decisions. You write meticulous unit tests that expose edge cases long before they reach integration, ensuring code quality from the ground up. You thrive in a multi-time-zone environment, maintaining clear and concise written and verbal updates to keep all stakeholders aligned.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with radiation-hardened components and proven mitigation techniques for single event effects is a significant advantage. Your practical knowledge of the space environment will directly contribute to mission success.

Core Skills and Tools

Your daily toolkit will include C for low-level development, Git for version control of critical firmware, Verilog for hardware interaction and logic design, and Python for automation and testing. You will use Jira to track progress and manage complex software integration tasks within our development workflow.

Practical Information

Details regarding the application process and security requirements are confirmed This role represents a foundational duty in the creation of a new space-based connectivity platform.