Software Engineer, Embedded

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

About the Role

As an Embedded Software Engineer on Apex's Flight Software team, you will write the software that runs on the custom avionics hardware powering our satellite buses. You will work closely with avionics, GNC, propulsion, and hardware engineers to design and deliver the software for the components that make up the spacecraft, owning that software from the design phase all the way 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.

We are looking for motivated engineers who are eager to solve complex problems with a focus on practicality and scalability, and who thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and own mission-critical software for satellite systems throughout the full software lifecycle, from initial architecture and development through deployment and operations.

• Develop the low level software that configures and drives the processor peripherals and communication interfaces on our avionics.

• Write and debug the device drivers for the sensors, actuators, and components across the bus.

• Implement onboard algorithms, including closed loop control and the logic that detects and responds to faults such as failed sensors or radiation upsets.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, hardware, test, and operations teams to establish product requirements, define technical roadmaps, and drive successful execution with a focus on embedded software and hardware designs.

Requirements

• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.

• Bachelor's degree in CS, EE or equivalent, or equivalent professional experience.

• 2+ years writing C/C++ for embedded systems, ideally on spacecraft, robotics, automotive, or other hardware that interacts with the physical world.

• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Rust

Preferred requirements

• 1+ year of flight software experience

• Experience developing, testing, deploying, and troubleshooting mission-critical satellite software from prototyping through flight operations.

• Experience developing firmware for microcontrollers, either bare-metal or on an RTOS.

• Comfort with hardware/software integration, including reading schematics and using tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to bring up new hardware.

• A solid understanding of microcontroller and microprocessor architecture, including memory, buses, and DMA.

• 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, and sensors

• Experience driving motors and power electronics or reading feedback sensors such as encoders and current monitors.

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Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing