Embedded Software Engineer - Space Systems

Embedded Software Engineer – Space Systems

iO Associates are supporting a space technology team in Luxembourg working on an active spacecraft payload programme. This role focuses on low‑level embedded software development, supporting existing flight systems as well as new software development within a small, experienced engineering team.

It is a hands‑on position for an engineer who enjoys working close to the hardware, contributing across design, integration, test, and validation and collaborating tightly with electronics and systems engineers.

Location: Luxembourg
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Type: Full-time, on-site
Start Date: Immediate

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role. Candidates must be an EU citizen or already hold a valid EU Blue Card or equivalent right to work in Luxembourg.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain low-level embedded software for spacecraft payload systems and associated ground or control software
• Develop, integrate, and debug device drivers and board support packages for custom electronics
• Work with real-time operating systems (RTOS) to implement deterministic and reliable control and data-handling functionality
• Implement and validate communications using protocols such as UART, SPI, PCI, USB, and CAN
• Contribute to the design and optimisation of networking stacks across multiple layers where required
• Support software bring-up, debugging, and validation during integration and test campaigns
• Participate in design reviews, technical discussions, and software documentation
• Work closely with payload electronics, systems, and test engineers to ensure end-to-end system reliability

Depending on experience, the role may also involve:

• Supporting planning and tracking of software tasks, milestones, and deliverables
• Coordinating small cross‑disciplinary workstreams
• Contributing to improvements in development processes and release practices

Your Profile:

• Degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electronics or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years 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 working 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

Desirable Experience

• Experience working on space, aerospace, defence, or other safety‑critical systems
• Familiarity with embedded software quality practices, including unit testing
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines in an embedded or systems development environment
• Experience working within ECSS, DO‑178, or similar engineering standards
• Experience collaborating closely with hardware and systems teams in a multidisciplinary setting

In addition to a competitive base salary, the package includes meal vouchers, private healthcare coverage, and equity/stock participation. The role offers the opportunity to work within a small, highly technical engineering team with direct ownership of embedded software on a space programme progressing toward launch.

If you’re excited by hands‑on embedded software work and want to see your code running on real space hardware, we’d love to hear from you. Apply directly or reach out to iO Associates to discuss the role.