Software Engineer, Operating Systems
About The Position
As an Operating Systems Engineer on Apex's Flight Software team, you will design, develop, and own software that brings spacecraft to life. You will work on autonomous systems and build robust software for reliable spacecraft operation across every phase of a mission. In collaboration with mission operations, GNC, and hardware teams, you will architect systems, prototype ideas, and deliver mission-critical software that flies. The Flight Software team includes high-level application software, operating system software, and embedded software teams, with significant collaboration across them. Space-industry experience is not required; Apex seeks motivated engineers who enjoy complex problems, balance technical rigor with practicality, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Requirements
- U.S. Person status is required because the position needs access to export-controlled data; the posting also describes eligibility through obtaining required export authorizations.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent, or equivalent professional experience.
- At least 2 years writing code for operating systems, ideally Yocto or embedded Linux on spacecraft, robotics, automotive, or other hardware that interacts with the physical world.
- Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Rust.
Nice To Haves
- At least 1 year of flight software experience.
- Experience developing, testing, deploying, and troubleshooting mission-critical satellite software from prototyping through flight operations.
- Experience with embedded Linux platforms and bootloader frameworks such as Yocto, Buildroot, WolfBoot, and U-Boot.
- Experience bringing up new avionics and flight hardware from initial power-on through functional verification.
- Experience with hardware/software integration, schematic analysis, and hardware debugging using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
- Familiarity with spacecraft attitude control systems, including reaction wheels, magnetorquers, thrusters, and associated sensors.
- Experience designing, implementing, and validating firmware update mechanisms, including bootloader integration, secure firmware deployment, and update recovery.
- Experience designing secure systems and implementing security enhancements in complex software architectures.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and own mission-critical software for satellite systems throughout the software lifecycle, from initial architecture and development through deployment and operations.
- Develop, configure, and maintain embedded Linux platforms and bootloader frameworks, including Yocto, Buildroot, WolfBoot, and U-Boot.
- Design, implement, and validate firmware update mechanisms, including bootloader integration, secure firmware deployment, and recovery procedures.
- Design and implement security enhancements across complex software architectures to improve system integrity, resilience, and secure operation.
Benefits
- Equity in Apex.
- Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
- $100,000 life insurance at no cost.
- 15 days of vacation to start, increasing to 20 or more days annually.
- 10 paid holidays.
- 401(k) plan with a 100% match on the first 3% and a 50% match on the next 2%.
- Eight weeks of paid parental leave.
- Childcare reimbursement up to $350 per day for work-related travel.
- Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks.
- Office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for employees and their families.
- Tools for a personalized desk setup.
- In-person collaboration at the Playa Vista office, with flexibility to integrate work and life.
- Long-term incentives in the form of stock options for full-time hires.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
