Senior Avionics Firmware Engineer

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Locations

El Segundo, CA, USA

Experience Level

Entry

Junior

Mid

Senior

Expert

Desired Skills

Data Structures & Algorithms

C/C++/C#

Linux/Unix

FPGA

Requirements

B.S. in Computer Science (CS), Computer Engineering (CE), Electrical Engineering (EE), or similar from an accredited university
One of the following:
3+ years experience in the development of aircraft, missile, spacecraft or similar critical flight software
3+ years experience in the development of medical device software
3+ years experience in game development
Demonstrated skills in applications development in at least one or more high-level programming languages (e.g. C, C++)
Experience with programming of FPGA or microcontrollers
Proficiency in writing software for UNIX/Linux platform
Object-Oriented-Design
Simulation and Modeling
Demonstrated leadership of or within a small project team either in current role or during project-based team in school
1. Critical thinking: ABL engineers understand the "why" behind all design decisions, operational events and test outcomes
2. Ability to deal with ambiguity: there is no roadmap and ABL engineers must be comfortable defining their own pathway to an objective
3. End-to-end ownership: projects are delivered fully complete and ready for flight; there is no one to pick up the slack of partially complete work

Responsibilities

Perform and lead the firmware development, implementation, and testing on flight hardware including the flight computer, navigation sensors, and other Remote I/O hardware
Gather, define, and document requirements to meet existing and anticipated needs across the rocket
Develop algorithms capable of meeting safety requirements
Develop, analyze and review data to validate and verify system meets specifications and design requirements
Ensure system quality and performance through rigorous software test, verification and validation (V&V) techniques
Write test plans and testing cases while leading the execution of unit/integration/systems level V&V
Partner with vehicle hardware teams to develop requirements (e.g. switches and computers) needed to meet the needs of the vehicle
Work as the avionics systems level architect and hardware development lead, from component design through integration, test, and operations
Stand up development integrated test bed or "Hardware in the Loop" (HITL), working with the Software, GNC and hardware teams in HITL environment to develop transitions and commands
Work with vendors to define system requirements and possible solutions
Work with vendors to maximize the benefits of already certified and qualified Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components and systems
Work with Software and Integration Checkout teams to stand up racks required to "talk" to the launch vehicle typical launch vehicle Avionics functionality includes:
Power systems, budgeting, and battery sizing
Redundancy and contingency management, capabilities for "Failure Detection Isolation and Recovery" (FDIR)
Telemetry packet encoding and decoding

ABL Space Systems was founded in 2017 by veterans of SpaceX and Morgan Stanley to develop low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite industry. More importantly, we’re building a launch system we are truly proud of – no gimmicks or over-design, just reliable, rapidly deployable launches. We’re an ambitious team with big goals and, together, we’re determined to prove that reaching space can be simple, efficient, and routine.

When launch day arrives, we want you by our side

ABL’s Firmware Engineers are critical to mission success and integral to nearly every subsystem on the launch vehicle ranging from power distribution to vehicle navigation to propulsion system control.

Solid Firmware Engineers know they are not just programmers, but rather engineers who are capable of operating in both the hardware and the firmware environment. They are responsible for providing novel solutions in an agile environment while also producing robust, verified code. Great firmware engineers are capable of bridging disciplines to work with the hardware and systems engineers.

Responsibilities

Perform and lead the firmware development, implementation, and testing on flight hardware including the flight computer, navigation sensors, and other Remote I/O hardware ‍
Gather, define, and document requirements to meet existing and anticipated needs across the rocket
Develop algorithms capable of meeting safety requirements
Develop, analyze and review data to validate and verify system meets specifications and design requirements
Ensure system quality and performance through rigorous software test, verification and validation (V&V) techniques
Write test plans and testing cases while leading the execution of unit/integration/systems level V&V
Partner with vehicle hardware teams to develop requirements (e.g. switches and computers) needed to meet the needs of the vehicle

Near Term Responsibilities

Work as the avionics systems level architect and hardware development lead, from component design through integration, test, and operations.
Stand up development integrated test bed or "Hardware in the Loop" (HITL), working with the Software, GNC and hardware teams in HITL environment to develop transitions and commands
Work with vendors to define system requirements and possible solutions
Work with vendors to maximize the benefits of already certified and qualified Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components and systems
Work with Software and Integration Checkout teams to stand up racks required to "talk" to the launch vehicle typical launch vehicle Avionics functionality includes:
Power systems, budgeting, and battery sizing
Redundancy and contingency management, capabilities for "Failure Detection Isolation and Recovery" (FDIR)
Telemetry packet encoding and decoding

Basic Qualifications

B.S. in Computer Science (CS), Computer Engineering (CE), Electrical Engineering (EE), or similar from an accredited university

One of the following: ‍

3+ years experience in the development of aircraft, missile, spacecraft or similar critical flight software
3+ years experience in the development of medical device software
3+ years experience in game development

Preferred Skills and Requirements

Demonstrated skills in applications development in at least one or more high-level programming languages (e.g. C, C++)
Experience with programming of FPGA or microcontrollers
Proficiency in writing software for UNIX/Linux platform ‍
Object-Oriented-Design
Simulation and Modeling
Demonstrated leadership of or within a small project team either in current role or during project-based team in school

What We Look For

1. Critical thinking: ABL engineers understand the "why" behind all design decisions, operational events and test outcomes.
2. Ability to deal with ambiguity: there is no roadmap and ABL engineers must be comfortable defining their own pathway to an objective.
3. End-to-end ownership: projects are delivered fully complete and ready for flight; there is no one to pick up the slack of partially complete work.

The salary range for this role is $155,000 - $210,000. This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, permanent residents, asylees, and refugees) is a required qualification for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.

201-500 employees

Website

Rockets for small satellite launches

Company Overview

ABL Space Systems was founded in 2017 by veterans of SpaceX and Morgan Stanley to develop low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite industry. More importantly, they're building a launch system they are truly proud of – no gimmicks or over-design, just reliable, rapidly deployable launches.