Senior Flight Software Engineer - Embedded Linux Verified today
About Starpath
Starpath is building technology for human expansion into the Solar System. We are developing an end-to-end system for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon and Mars. We plan to launch autonomous rovers to the Moon to gather icy regolith from permanently-shadowed regions near the Lunar South Pole and deliver it to an automated plant that processes it into liquid oxygen for refueling landers.
The Role
We're building a rover to explore the Lunar South Pole and seeking an embedded Linux expert to own the systems software for our NVIDIA Orin-based Autonomy Computer. You will work closely with robotics, autonomy, teleoperation, and network communications experts, plus embedded software engineers developing the microcontroller-based Control Computer. The platform software you build will provide the foundation for autonomy and teleoperation software that directs the low-level control system. It must support rapid development of autonomy capabilities on rover prototypes while being reliable and fault-tolerant enough for flight on our Moon mission.
Responsibilities
- Own the rover's Linux platform layer: kernel, drivers, BSP, and boot chain; be expert on the Autonomy Computer's systems software
- Own and extend the current BSP, including device tree and pin muxing
- Own interface software for CAN, RS-485, USB, CSI, and Ethernet devices, including sensors, cameras, and motor controllers
- Own the over-the-air software update system
- Design robust systems for fault detection, identification, and recovery
- Work closely with software engineers developing autonomy and control software and electrical engineers designing avionics hardware
Required Qualifications
- Deep hands-on experience with the Linux kernel and boot chain
- Experience authoring and debugging device trees and pin muxing for embedded ARM platforms
- Experience with serial, CAN, and Ethernet device drivers
- 5+ years experience with embedded Linux at the kernel, driver, and BSP level
- 5+ years experience programming in C
- Evidence of exceptional engineering ability
- Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field, OR demonstrated excellence at coding through significant professional experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing space flight software (strongly preferred)
- Experience developing software to control real robots, autonomous vehicles, or remotely-controlled vehicles
- Experience with NVIDIA Jetson platform
- Experience with ZFS
- Experience developing software tolerant to radiation effects (SEEs)
- Track record of delivering highly reliable software on a tight schedule
Position Details
- Location: Hawthorne, CA
- Salary: $155,000 to $200,000 base per year, plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experience
- PTO, health, dental, and vision coverage included
- Willingness to work extended hours as needed
Export Compliance
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.