Software Engineer, Operating Systems (Embedded Linux)

Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA; in-person collaboration at the Playa Vista office

Company

hirify.global manufactures satellite buses at scale using software, vertical integration, and manufacturing-oriented hardware for applications including Earth observation and communications.

What you will do

• Design, develop, and own mission-critical software for satellite systems across architecture, development, 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.
• Collaborate with mission operations, GNC, and hardware teams to architect systems, prototype ideas, and deliver flight software.

Requirements

• U.S. Person status is required, or the ability to obtain the required export authorizations, because the role accesses export-controlled data.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or an equivalent qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 2 years of experience writing operating-system code, ideally with Yocto or embedded Linux, on spacecraft, robotics, automotive systems, or other hardware that interacts with the physical world.
• Strong proficiency in Python, C++, or Rust.

Nice to have

• 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.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-growing startup with more than $500M in funding and investment in employees.
• Full-time employees receive equity, company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and a 401(k) with matching.
• Paid time off starts at 15 vacation days and includes 10 paid holidays; paid parental leave lasts 8 weeks.
• Childcare reimbursement is available for work-related travel, along with daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks.
• Playa Vista office, in-person collaboration, office socials, sports activities, and family gatherings.