Linux Platform Software Engineer

Department: Autonomous Systems

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $120,000 - $180,000 / year

Description

Impulse Space is seeking a Linux Platform Software Engineer to develop and maintain the foundational software stack that powers our avionics platforms. This role requires deep expertise in embedded Linux, low-level hardware/software integration, and platform engineering practices to ensure secure, reliable, and maintainable systems. 

Responsibilities

• Linux Distribution Development: 
  • Build, configure, and maintain a Yocto-based Linux distribution for custom avionics hardware. 
  • Manage kernel configuration, system services, and integration of middleware components. 
• Board Bring-Up & Hardware Integration: 
  • Perform initial board bring-up of avionics computers. 
  • Debug hardware/software integration issues across CPU, memory, and peripheral subsystems. 
• Driver Development & Debugging: 
  • Develop, port, and maintain Linux device drivers for sensors, communication buses, and memory devices. 
  • Debug kernel-space and user-space interactions using hardware debuggers and tracing tools. 
• Platform Engineering & System Hardening: 
  • Implement secure boot and code signing for flight-critical binaries. 
  • Configure and manage router certificates and other cryptographic assets. 
  • Apply Linux security frameworks such as AppArmor and SELinux for mandatory access control. 
  • Design and maintain OTA update infrastructure with rollback/A-B partitioning support. 
  • Manage system configuration, startup scripts, and fault-tolerant resource allocation. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related degrees. 
• Experience building and maintaining Yocto-based embedded Linux distributions for custom boards. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop, configure, and debug Linux kernel drivers. 
• Demonstrated experience developing in C/C++, with ability to work in constrained, low-level environments. 

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation, design reviews, and cross-discipline collaboration. 
• Experience with UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and similar buses. 
• Strong understanding of embedded software principles, real-time constraints, and resource-limited systems. 
• Experience with OTA update design and deployment (e.g., dual-partition or rollback-safe systems). 
• Familiarity with system hardening and security frameworks (SELinux, AppArmor, secure boot, TPM/cryptographic key management). 
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines for embedded systems (e.g., GitLab, Jenkins, CircleCI). 
• Familiarity with containerization and reproducible build techniques for embedded platforms. 
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, hardware debuggers, and signal analyzers. 

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.