Lead Embedded Systems Software Engineer

E-Space · Arlington

Software EngineeringE-Space USOn-siteFull-Timeposted 3mo ago

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you’ve come to the right place!

E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life.

We are looking for a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to own the full path from product requirements to working, tested firmware. You will translate product-level goals into system software architecture, write production code, and lead a team of embedded engineers to ship reliable, high-performance software.

This is a player-coach role. You write code every day while also guiding the team, reviewing designs, and setting technical direction. You run debuggers and whiteboards with equal ease.

What you will do:

Architecture and Technical Leadership

Translate product requirements into clear system-level software architecture.

Define software interfaces, data flows, and module boundaries across the stack.

Make and own key technical decisions. Document them clearly for the team.

Identify risks early and drive solutions before they become blockers.

Own firmware delivery from product requirements through production release, ensuring quality, schedule, and cross-functional alignment.

Hands-on Development

Write, review, and maintain production firmware in C/C++ (and Rust where applicable).

Develop drivers, middleware, and application logic for sensor-rich embedded platforms.

Work with Zephyr RTOS across multiple MCU families (STM32, Nordic nRF, ESP32).

Debug firmware using JTAG, SWD, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.

Integrate and validate sensors including IMUs, accelerometers, and gyroscopes.

Implement and optimize networking stacks - BLE, Thread, and Wi-Fi.

Design and maintain backend communication protocols for edge-to-cloud data transfer.

Test and Quality

Write automated unit and integration tests before or alongside feature code.

Build and maintain HIL (hardware-in-the-loop) & SIL (software-in-the-loop) frameworks.

Set team standards for test coverage, static analysis, and CI/CD pipelines.

Perform code reviews with a focus on correctness, safety, and long-term maintainability.

Team Leadership

Lead a small team of embedded engineers. Set clear goals. Mitigate day-to-day risks.

Mentor engineers through design reviews, pair programming, and direct feedback.

Collaborate with hardware, systems, and product teams to align on requirements.

Contribute to hiring - interview candidates and help define the team's technical bar.

What we are looking for:

Required

5+ years of embedded software development experience in production systems.

Strong C/C++ skills in resource-constrained environments (bare-metal and RTOS).

Hands-on experience with Zephyr RTOS, including West build system and CMake.

Deep knowledge of at least one MCU family: STM32, Nordic nRF, or ESP32.

Experience integrating and characterizing inertial sensors (IMU, accelerometer, etc.).

Solid understanding of wireless protocols - BLE, Thread, & WiFi - including their stacks.

Experience designing and implementing backend communications (MQTT, CoAP, HTTP/REST, or similar).

Strong skills in writing automated tests for embedded code: unit tests, mocking, HIL/SIL.

Proficiency with hardware debug tooling: JTAG, SWD, logic analyzers, and o-scopes.

Solid Git workflows: branching strategy, code review process, and CI/CD integration.

Demonstrated ability to lead a technical team while remaining a hands-on contributor.

Clear communicator. Able to explain complex technical decisions to stakeholders.

Nice to Have

Experience with Rust in embedded contexts.

Familiarity with TinyML or edge ML frameworks (TFLite Micro, Edge Impulse, ONNX Runtime).

Background in aerospace, satellite, or other safety-critical systems.

Experience with model optimization techniques such as quantization and pruning.

Contributions to open-source embedded or RTOS projects.

Additional Requirements

This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office. The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used—so we’re looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that’s your experience – then we’ll be immediately wow-ed.

E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

In your first 90 days, you will have mapped the current embedded software architecture, identified the highest-priority gaps, and shipped at least one meaningful feature end-to-end. Within six months, you will have established a team testing standard, introduced measurable improvements to firmware reliability, and built strong working relationships with hardware and systems engineering.

How We Work

• On-site, collaborative environment. We build physical hardware - presence matters.

• Small teams with high autonomy. You own your area end-to-end.

• Fast iteration cycles. We prototype, test, and revise quickly.

• Direct feedback culture. We expect candor and respect in equal measure.

Why E-Space is right for you:

As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in driving our success. Our team members have a strong sense of dedication and responsibility; this includes a strong commitment to our mission to create an entirely new suite of global capabilities to improve lives, business efficiencies and build a smarter planet. This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed to meet critical deadlines and mission goals. In return, we offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth industry.

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That’s why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

• An opportunity to really make a difference

• Sustainability at our core

• Fair and honest workplace

• Innovative thinking is encouraged

• Competitive salaries

• Continuous learning and development

• Health and wellness care options

• Financial solutions for the future

• Optional legal services (US only)

• Paid holidays

• Paid time off