Senior Flight Software Engineer - Embedded Linux

Position Details:

Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA

Employment Type: Full-time

Department: Starmine

Travel: Occasional

The Mission

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!

Senior Flight Software Engineer - Embedded Linux

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.

Responsibilities:

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

Required Qualifications:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

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

EAR Requirements:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, you 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.

Equal Opportunity:

Starpath is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Benefits:

At Starpath Robotics, base pay is just one part of your total rewards package. We also offer:

Generous benefits including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.

Paid time off, holidays, and flexible policies to support balance.

Professional growth opportunities through training and development.

The chance to own high-impact work that directly shapes the future of robotics & space!

A collaborative, mission-driven culture where craftsmanship and innovation are celebrated.