Embedded Firmware / Flight Software Engineer

Job Description

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Embedded Firmware / Flight Software Engineer to provide design and development support for second generation lidar to support space and defense markets. The role will include lab demonstrations, field tests, prototypes, Engineering Development Units and the full range of space flight software. Candidates will lead the team responsible for the software that controls space hardware once it’s launched. That includes powering systems on and off, operating sensors, collecting data, handling unexpected issues, and making sure the mission continues safely without physical access. Because these systems can’t be repaired in space, the software has to be extremely reliable, and this leader is accountable for that reliability. Other responsibilities include:

• Managing and guiding the people who write the software that runs space hardware
• Ensuring the software is carefully designed, built, and tested so the hardware behaves correctly in space
• Working on systems where failure could end the mission or destroy very expensive equipment
• Acting as the translator between software, hardware, and program leadership to make sure everything works together
• Makes sure the software meets strict government and industry requirements for reliability and security
• Confirms the system behaves correctly before launch because fixing it later may be impossible
• Coaches engineers, reviews their work, and makes final technical decisions
• Ensures sensors collect the right data at the right time and successfully send it back to Earth

This role is on site 5 days a week in Hampton VA.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelors in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering (Master's degree is a plus)
• Seven plus years of overall digital design based electrical engineering experience
• Demonstrated knowledge/experience with designing and developing systems using microprocessors (single and/or multi-core), microcontrollers, and FPGAs
• Demonstrated experience with any of the standard high-speed topologies (1/10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), PCIe, Fiber Channel, Serial Rapid IO or similar)
• Proficient with serial communications such as: UARTs, SPI, I2C and the like
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and problem-solving skills required
• Ability to work alone or on a team setting
• Experience with source control management tools Highly Desired skills include:
• Experience developing software code for flight systems using C, and C++
• Experience with Xilinx Ultrascale+ series of FPGAs
• Demonstrated HDL coding experience with Microsemi, Xilinx and/or Intel (Altera) FPGAs using either Verilog or VHDL.
• Familiarity with signal integrity tools
• Exposure to MATLAB and Simulink