Small Satellite Embedded Software Engineer - MTS

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

The Aerospace Corporation’s Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers’ hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for engineers with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today’s challenges.

The Small Satellite Department conceives, develops, and operates small satellite missions in partnership with a broad array of customers. The department comprises a core group of 15-20 engineers and technologists. As a leader in the development and operation of small satellite systems, we look to the next decade of advancing technologies and capabilities, improving reliability, and promoting a mission-centric approach to system development. The team is currently seeking a Small Satellite Embedded Software Engineer – Member of Technical Staff to support small satellite payloads and spacecraft sub-systems. The position offers the

opportunity for a creative individual to innovate in a fast-paced instrument development environment where direct access to and mentoring by senior staff are provided to accelerate the learning process.

Work Model: This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines regular onsite work and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Develop microcontroller-scale computer architectures for small satellite embedded systems

• (e.g., Microchip PIC, Vorago Cortex-M0/M4, Xlinix Zynq)

• Design, test, and debug embedded microcontroller/microprocessor applications

• Assist with software releases, deployments, and documentation

• Coordinate with subsystem leads to define software requirements and interfaces

• Develop software libraries and applications to support satellites testing and operations

What You Need to be Successful - Member of the Technical Staff

Minimum Requirements : 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline 

• Two or more years of professional, related experience

• Embedded systems development experience, e.g., working knowledge of real-time design,verification workflow, etc.

• Hardware debugging skills & experience with power supplies, signal generators,oscilloscopes and/or logic analyzers

• Programming experience with embedded microcontrollers or microprocessors

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Capacity to work on multiple tasks concurrently

• Excellent technical written and oral communication skill

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Masters or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering,

• Mathematics or a related discipline

• Familiarity with C, Python, MATLAB and LabVIEW

• Familiarity with standard electrical interfaces: RS232/RS422 (UART), SPI, i2C, USB and

• ethernet

• Working knowledge of RTOS and embedded Linux development, resiliency and fault

• tolerance techniques, bus, data communication and networking protocols

• Large systems experience, e.g., workload orchestration and containerization, engineering

• geographically dispersed services, multi-vendor services integration

• Experi