Embedded Software Engineer

As our Embedded Software Engineer, you will develop and maintain the flight‑critical firmware that powers our launch vehicles. Working closely with avionics, propulsion, and GNC teams, you will translate system requirements into robust, testable firmware for flight computers, sensor interfaces, telemetry systems, and vehicle control electronics. You will also support coordination with our contract software development partners to ensure consistent quality and integration.

Your work will directly impact vehicle reliability, performance, and mission success.

• Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded firmware for flight and ground systems. Implement drivers and interfaces for sensors, actuators, and communication buses (SPI, I2C, CAN, UART, Ethernet).
• Contribute to flight software including state machines, control logic, and health monitoring systems.
• Support firmware integration with avionics hardware and vehicle subsystems while assisting with technical oversight and review of deliverables from contract software development teams.
• Debug hardware/software issues using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, and support system‑level testing including bench testing, HIL testing, environmental testing, and vehicle integration.
• Produce well‑structured embedded firmware modules, driver implementations, and control logic suitable for flight systems.
• Deliver design documentation, interface specifications, test procedures, verification reports, and debugging analyses.
• Contribute to system integration documentation and maintain clear records of firmware architecture, testing outcomes, and software revisions.
• Support improvements to development workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and coding standards to ensure reliable and repeatable software releases.

• Deliver reliable flight software that supports safe and successful vehicle operation during testing and launch campaigns.
• Translate system and subsystem requirements into validated firmware implementations for avionics and vehicle control electronics.
• Ensure high‑quality integration between embedded software, avionics hardware, and vehicle subsystems.
• Establish strong software development practices including documentation, verification, and CI/CD processes.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to firmware reliability, hardware/software interaction, and integration readiness.
• Maintain clear ownership of embedded software functionality across the development and testing lifecycle.
• Contribute to system‑level testing activities including HIL, environmental testing, static fire testing, and flight readiness preparations.
• Support company milestones by enabling reliable avionics and control systems for launch vehicle development.

• B.S. in electrical engineering, computer science or related field.
• 4+ years of experience in embedded firmware or embedded systems development.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Experience working with microcontrollers, microprocessors and/or FPGAs.
• Familiarity with RTOS concepts or bare‑metal development.
• Experience interfacing with hardware and reading schematics.
• Understanding of common embedded communication protocols (SPI, I2C, CAN, UART, Ethernet).
• Experience debugging embedded systems at the hardware/software boundary.
• Ability to learn new tools, systems, and domains as needed.

• Experience in high‑growth, startup, or technically complex environments.
• Familiarity with flight software architectures or safety‑critical systems.
• Experience with bootloaders or firmware update systems.
• Exposure to HITL/SITL testing frameworks.

Salary Range: $ - $

The estimated salary range for this role reflects various compensation factors. The final offer depends on factors such as work experience, education, training, key skills, and business needs.

In addition, LEAP provides a comprehensive benefits package for full‑time employees, which includes:

• Equity Program: Equity plan participation is available to all employees following an initial 90‑day employment period and is performance‑based. Equity allocations are determined on a case‑by‑case basis and are not…