Junior Embedded Software Engineer

About the role

Observable Space builds precision optics and computing platforms for space and terrestrial applications. You will join our engineering team to develop firmware and embedded Linux systems for hardware ranging from robotic telescopes to orbital compute modules.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and debug embedded Linux firmware, including bootloaders, daemons, and control loops.
• Create and maintain drivers for interfaces such as PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART, MIPI CSI-2, and GPIO.
• Perform hardware bring-up for sensors, cameras, and communication links, including prototype assembly and power-on testing.
• Build and operate test rigs for component characterization and long-term reliability campaigns.
• Collaborate with the electrical engineering team on soldering, wiring, and schematic review.
• Engage in code reviews and design discussions to refine system reliability.

Requirements

• 0 to 2 years of professional, internship, or academic experience in systems-level or embedded software development.
• Proficiency in C and working knowledge of C++.
• Understanding of hardware communication protocols like Ethernet, CAN, UART, SPI, and I2C.
• Ability to interpret basic electrical schematics.
• Familiarity with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and multimeters, or a strong desire to learn.
• Persistence in troubleshooting and debugging hardware-software integration issues.
• Ability to work on-site in Los Angeles at least 3 days per week.

Nice to have

• Practical experience with soldering and wire harness construction.
• Prior work with microcontrollers, including bare-metal, RTOS, STM32, ESP32, or Arduino projects.
• Experience with embedded Linux build systems like Yocto or Buildroot and kernel-level development.
• Familiarity with Zephyr RTOS.
• Academic or project-based exposure to high-speed interfaces like PCIe or MIPI CSI-2.

Skills & tools

• C, C++
• Embedded Linux
• Hardware debugging (oscilloscope, multimeter)
• Communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, MIPI CSI-2)

Practical notes

• Compensation includes salary and stock options.
• Benefits include 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• The company offers an unlimited, trust-based PTO policy.
• This position requires an on-site presence in Los Angeles for a minimum of 3 days per week.