Embedded Software Engineer - Space Systems

About the role

IO Associates is supporting a space technology team in Luxembourg on an active spacecraft payload programme. The Embedded Software Engineer will develop low‑level software for the payload, working closely with hardware, electronics and systems engineers.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain low‑level embedded software for spacecraft payload and related ground/control software.
• Develop, integrate and debug device drivers and board support packages for custom electronics.
• Implement deterministic functionality using real‑time operating systems (RTOS).
• Implement and validate communications using UART, SPI, PCI, USB and CAN protocols.
• Support software bring‑up, debugging and validation during integration and test campaigns.
• Participate in design reviews, technical discussions and produce software documentation.
• Collaborate with payload electronics, systems and test engineers to ensure end‑to‑end reliability.
• Optionally support planning, tracking of software tasks and coordinate small cross‑disciplinary workstreams.

Required profile

• Degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electronics or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience developing embedded or low‑level software.
• Strong experience programming in C++.
• Solid understanding of embedded systems, low‑level drivers and real‑time constraints.
• Hands‑on experience with RTOS environments.
• Practical experience with hardware communication protocols (UART, SPI, PCI, USB, CAN).
• Comfortable debugging software on real hardware during bring‑up and integration.

Required skills

• C++ programming
• Real‑time operating systems (RTOS)
• Device driver development
• Board support package development
• UART, SPI, PCI, USB, CAN communication protocols
• Embedded systems and low‑level driver design
• Debugging on real hardware

What we offer

• Competitive base salary
• Meal vouchers
• Private healthcare coverage
• Equity/stock participation