Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Terran Orbital Corporation • Irvine, CA

2h • $175,000 - $230,000

About The Position

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Principal Embedded Software Engineer to lead the architecture, development, and integration of embedded software across multiple satellite programs. The role ensures robust, reliable, high-performance mission solutions and includes developing software for satellite modules and specialized payloads, supporting hardware bring-up, and integrating and testing software in simulation, flight-replica, flight-vehicle, and hardware-in-the-loop environments.

The engineer serves as technical lead across multiple satellite programs, collaborates with cross-functional engineering teams to define and refine requirements, and mentors junior software engineers. The role also includes representing Terran Orbital in technical working groups and customer interactions, supporting embedded-system security, and occasional travel—up to 10%—to customer or vendor sites for design reviews and collaborative technical work. The position reports to the Embedded Software & FPGA Manager.

This is a full-time role. The listed salary range is $175,000–$230,000 USD; actual level and base salary are determined case-by-case based on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. The position operates in a professional office environment within a manufacturing company and routinely uses standard office equipment. It is generally sedentary with substantial computer use.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of experience developing C/C++ applications for embedded, high-performance, or mission-critical systems.
• Experience with bare-metal and/or RTOS-based designs, such as FreeRTOS or internal schedulers.
• Deep understanding of microcontroller architectures, peripheral subsystems, and low-level interface design across multiple MCU families.
• Experience with electronic test equipment and embedded debug tools, such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and hardware debuggers.
• Experience with serial communication protocols, including CAN, RS-232/422/485, I2C, SPI, and PCI.
• Highly motivated, self-starting, responsible, thorough, and able to perform duties autonomously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Experience with ARM and Texas Instruments embedded platforms.
• Experience with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other test equipment.
• Experience with Linux and GNU tools such as Make, GCC, and GDB.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Bash and Python.
• Familiarity with build pipelines, deployment processes, and on-target testing.
• Familiarity with SOLID software design principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain embedded software and support hardware bring-up on satellite modules.
• Architect, design, develop, and maintain embedded software for satellite systems using Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to define and refine software requirements.
• Serve as the technical lead for multiple satellite programs.
• Create and maintain unit tests using Test-Driven Development methodologies.
• Develop and automate system-level tests.
• Build software for specialized payloads, including imagers, image processors, communication devices, and astronomical science instruments.
• Integrate and test software in simulation, flight-replica, flight-vehicle, and hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Lead and mentor junior software engineers, providing technical guidance and task direction.
• Represent Terran Orbital in technical working groups and customer interactions.
• Support the security of embedded systems.
• Travel occasionally, up to 10%, to customer or vendor sites for design reviews and collaborative technical work.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and dependents.
• 401(k) match.
• Flexible Time Off (FTO).
• Education or tuition reimbursement.
• Competitive paid parental leave, including maternity and paternity leave.
• Covered life insurance.
• Employee referrals.
• Company swag.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal