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Senior Embedded Software Engineer Verified today

Apex Spacecraft · Los Angeles, CA · Software · first seen 2026-10-03
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About the Role

As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer on Apex's Flight Software team, you will write the software that runs on custom avionics hardware powering our satellite buses. You will work closely with avionics, GNC, propulsion, and hardware engineers to design and deliver software for spacecraft components, owning that software from design through flight. You will contribute across the full breadth of development, from architecting new systems and prototyping early ideas to writing the mission-critical code that ultimately flies.

Responsibilities

  • Develop low-level software that configures and drives processor peripherals and communication interfaces on avionics
  • Write and debug device drivers for sensors, actuators, and components across the bus
  • Implement onboard algorithms, including closed-loop control and fault detection logic for failed sensors or radiation upsets
  • Write iterative code for bench and development testing, alongside rigorous reviewed code for manufacturing and flight
  • Provide embedded software input into new system and hardware designs
  • Support spacecraft commissioning during launch and early operations, ensuring software systems remain functional during critical operations

Requirements

  • U.S. Person status is required as this position accesses export-controlled data
  • Bachelor's degree in CS, EE, or equivalent professional experience
  • 3+ years writing C/C++ for embedded systems, ideally on spacecraft, robotics, automotive, or other hardware interacting with the physical world
  • Experience developing firmware for microcontrollers, either bare-metal or on an RTOS
  • Experience writing and debugging low-level device drivers over SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, and CAN interfaces
  • Comfort with hardware/software integration, including reading schematics and using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to bring up new hardware
  • Solid understanding of microcontroller and microprocessor architecture, including memory, buses, and DMA

Preferred

  • FPGA development experience
  • Experience bringing up new avionics or flight hardware from first power-on
  • Experience with satellite attitude control systems (ACS), including reaction wheels, magnetorquers, and small thrusters
  • Experience driving motors and power electronics or reading feedback sensors such as encoders and current monitors
  • Familiarity with satellite systems and protocols such as CCSDS and ECSS

Compensation

Senior: $155K - $210K
Staff: $200K - $250K

Full-time employees receive equity, 100% company-paid medical/dental/vision, 15-20+ days vacation plus 10 paid holidays, 401(k) with 100% match on first 3% plus 50% on next 2%, 8 weeks paid parental leave, and other benefits.

ITAR Requirements

This role requires access to export-controlled data under ITAR and EAR. Applicants must either qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) or be able to obtain required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agency.