Staff Embedded Software Engineer Seen this week

About Observable Space

Observable Space builds precision optics platforms for Earth and space observation. Our systems are trusted by NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, Raytheon, and the US DoD. We combine precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded computing, cloud orchestration, and APIs into products including advanced ground stations, on-orbit sensor suites, free space optical lasercom, and distributed compute platforms.

The Role

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will work across our full product line, from robotic ground telescopes to on-orbit compute platforms. You will design and maintain embedded Linux systems, bring up complex peripherals, build rock-solid drivers, and architect software designed to run for decades in remote and harsh environments.

This role is deeply hands-on: you will read schematics, work directly with electrical and mechanical teams, debug unusual edge cases, and own Yocto-based platforms down to the metal. You will report to the Embedded Engineering Lead.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, implement, and document embedded Linux systems composed of multiple daemons, services, and hardware interfaces designed for extreme reliability in remote and space environments.
• Own the BSP and driver stack across PCIe, SPI, I2C, UART, MIPI CSI-2, GPIO, and other hardware interfaces.
• Bring up high-speed peripherals (PCIe endpoints, MIPI cameras, high-bandwidth data links) and ensure their long-term robustness.
• Maintain build system health: keep Yocto builds unblocked, reproducible, and hardened through strict CI/CD testing gates.
• Design for resilience: create systems that can run autonomously for years with minimal human intervention.
• Collaborate on automated testing: help the test team build lab infrastructure that enables frictionless writing and execution of hardware-in-the-loop tests.
• Participate in product design reviews to ensure manufacturability, serviceability, and field reliability.

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years in embedded software engineering or systems-level development.
• Strong proficiency in C and modern C++.
• Solid understanding of DC power systems, motor drivers, and common hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet, MIPI, PCIe).
• Experience bringing up high-speed interfaces, especially PCIe and MIPI CSI-2 (D-PHY 1.4+).
• Deep familiarity with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, multimeters, and power debugging tools.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, understand board-level considerations, and debug at the electrical-software boundary.
• Strong debugging intuition and experience in fast-paced prototyping environments.
• Strong product sense: you prioritize manufacturing reliability, robustness, and long-term serviceability.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with Zephyr RTOS, embedded networking stacks, or sensor fusion.
• Experience with Qualcomm SoCs and their BSP/driver ecosystems.
• Experience with 3 phase motor drivers and tuning parameters park/clark vector control.
• Background in vision processing, image pipelines, or camera-focused algorithms.
• Contributions to open-source embedded or Linux kernel projects.
• Passion for astronomy, physics, and scientific exploration.

What We Offer

• Salary: $180K-$200K plus competitive equity.
• Hybrid work environment with a minimum of 3 days per week in Los Angeles office.
• Unlimited PTO and paid holidays.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% employer-paid premiums.
• Access to cutting-edge hardware and software tools.