Senior Flight Software Engineer - Embedded Linux

Starpath is building the technology to enable human expansion into the Solar System. We are developing a complete end-to-end system for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon and Mars. We plan to launch autonomous rovers to the Moon that will gather icy regolith from permanently-shadowed regions of craters near the Lunar South Pole and deliver that regolith to an automated plant that can process it into liquid oxygen, which will be used to refuel landers for their return flights to Earth.

If high ownership, fast pace, and doing hands-on work that will enable our rovers to explore and mine the Moon sounds like a dream come true, come join the team!

We’re building a rover to explore the Lunar South Pole, and we’re looking for an embedded Linux expert to own the systems software for our NVIDIA Orin-based Autonomy Computer. This position requires deep experience working with the Linux kernel, device tree, boot chain, device drivers, and board support packages for ARM platforms. Previous experience with space flight software is strongly preferred, but not an absolute requirement.

As the owner of the Linux platform software for the Autonomy Computer, you will work closely with experts in robotics, autonomy, teleoperation, and network communications as well as the embedded software engineers developing the microcontroller-based Control Computer. The platform software will provide the foundation for the autonomy and teleoperation software that directs the low-level control system. This platform must support rapid development of autonomy capabilities with our rover prototypes, but also be sufficiently reliable and fault-tolerant to be launched as flight software on our rover’s mission to the Moon.

Starpath is a fast-paced, low-bureaucracy work environment, and the people who thrive here are those who enjoy working hard, facing difficult challenges, and making rapid progress toward an ambitious vision of the future. Our goal is to launch our rovers to the Moon within the next 1-2 years, demonstrate industrial-scale ISRU for refueling landers, and pave the way for a permanent human lunar base.

• Own the rover’s Linux platform layer – kernel, drivers, BSP, and boot chain – and be expert on the Autonomy Computer’s systems software

• Own and extend the current BSP, including device tree and pin muxing

• Own the interface software for CAN, RS-485, USB, CSI, and Ethernet devices, including sensors, cameras, and. motor controllers

• Own the over-the-air software update system

• Design robust systems for fault detection, identification, and recovery

• Work closely with the software engineers developing the autonomy and control software and the electrical engineers designing the avionics hardware

• Deep hands-on experience with the Linux kernel and boot chain

• Experience authoring and debugging device trees and pin muxing for embedded ARM platforms

• Experience with serial, CAN, and Ethernet device drivers

• 5+ years experience with embedded Linux at the kernel/driver/BSP level

• 5+ years experience programming in C

• Evidence of exceptional engineering ability

• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field OR demonstrated excellence at coding via significant professional experience

• A desire to make humans a multi-planet species

• Experience developing space flight software (strong preference)

• Experience developing software to control real robots, autonomous vehicles, or remotely-controlled vehicles

• Experience with NVIDIA Jetson platform

• Experience with ZFS

• Experience developing software that is tolerant to radiation effects (SEEs)

• Track record of delivering highly reliable software on a tight schedule

• Location: Los Angeles - Hawthorne

• Salary base rate is $155-200k/yr plus equity package; compensation scales with candidate experience

• PTO & health/dental/vision coverage included

• Willingness to work extended hours as needed

EAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.