Linux Software Engineer

• Application Deadline: 27 December 2025
• Job Location: Somerset West, Western Cape
• Job Title: Linux Software Engineer
• Education Level: Bachelors Degree
• Job Level: Senior
• Minimum Experience: 5- 7 Years

A renowned Manufacturing Engineering company is looking for a Linux Software Engineer to join their team on a full-time permanent basis in the Helderberg Area.

Excellent salary on offer and internal career advancement opportunities.

Position Overview:

Design, develop, and maintain robust, secure, and efficient embedded Linux software for edge computing platforms deployed in space, enabling autonomous data processing and decision-making in orbit.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering (with a strong software focus)
• 5+ years of professional experience in embedded software development, with a strong focus on Linux-based systems.
• Embedded Linux Development
• Experience with kernel customization, device drivers, bootloaders, and low-level system programming.
• Familiarity with build systems like Yocto, and OpenEmbedded.
• Real-Time and Resource-Constrained Systems
• Hands-on work with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or real-time Linux extensions.
• Optimization for low-power, high-reliability environments.
• Hardware-Software Integration
• Experience interfacing with sensors, microcontrollers, and custom hardware platforms.
• Debugging and validation using tools like JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analysers.
• Space or Aerospace Systems (Preferred but not always required)
• Exposure to space-grade software development, radiation-tolerant systems, or satellite
  
  subsystems.
• Understanding of standards like ECSS, NASA software assurance, or CubeSat protocols.
• Software Testing & Validation
• Experience with automated testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and simulation environments.
• Security & Reliability
• Knowledge of secure coding practices, fault tolerance, and system recovery mechanisms

Expertise in:

• Linux kernel development and customization.
• Real-time systems and deterministic software behaviour.
• Secure boot, encryption, and cybersecurity for embedded systems.
• Fuzz testing

Experience with:

• Cross-compilation and toolchains for ARM, RISC-V, or other embedded architectures.
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments.
• Containerization (e.g., Docker or WASM) and orchestration in constrained environments.

Proficiency with:

• Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.
• Build systems like Yocto, Buildroot, or CMake.
• Debugging tools (e.g., GDB, Valgrind, JTAG interfaces).
• Familiarity with io_uring

Special requirement(s):

• Willingness to travel overseas.

Recommendations:

• Master's or PhD in Embedded Systems, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Science.
• Certifications in Embedded Linux, Yocto Project, or RTOS.
• Training in space systems engineering or satellite operations.
• Prior experience developing software for space missions, CubeSats, or satellite payloads.
• Familiarity with space-grade hardware platforms (e.g., radiation-hardened processors, FPGA
  
  based systems).
• Understanding of ECSS, NASA, or ESA software standards and mission assurance protocols.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Contribution
• Contribute to the company's space-edge computing roadmap, identifying innovation and scalability opportunities.
• Support cross-functional initiatives focused on autonomy, onboard intelligence, and in-orbit data sovereignty.
• Embedded Linux Development
• Architect and implement embedded software solutions on Linux-based platforms tailored for space-grade edge computers.
• Customize and optimize Linux kernels, drivers, bootloaders and board support packages for performance and reliability in radiation-prone, low-power environments.
• Integrate real-time capabilities and ensure deterministic behaviour where required.
• System Integration & Hardware Abstraction
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to interface with custom boards, sensors, and space qualified components.
• Develop and maintain hardware abstraction layers (HAL) and middleware to ensure seamless integration across subsystems
• In-Orbit Software Reliability
• Design fault-tolerant systems with watchdogs, redundancy, and recovery mechanisms to ensure continuous operation in orbit.
• Implement secure update mechanisms for remote patching and software upgrades post-launch.
• Edge Computing Enablement
• Develop and optimize onboard data processing pipelines for AI/ML inference, image analysis, and telemetry compression.
• Ensure efficient resource management (CPU, memory, I/O) for real-time edge workloads.
• Testing & Validation
• Lead rigorous testing campaigns including unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.
• Simulate orbital conditions (thermal, radiation, latency) to validate software robustness.
• Collaboration & Documentation
• Work closely with mission systems, payload, and ground segment teams to align software capabilities with mission objectives.
• Maintain detailed documentation for software architecture, interfaces, and operational procedures.
• Compliance & Standards
• Ensure software adheres to space industry standards (e.g., ECSS, NASA, CubeSat protocols) and cybersecurity best practices.
• Participate in internal audits and reviews to ensure flight-readiness and mission assurance.
• Continuous Technical Growth
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in embedded Linux, edge computing, and space-grade software systems.
• Experiment with new tools, frameworks, and kernel features that could enhance system performance or resilience in space environments.
• Pursue certifications, courses, or research relevant to aerospace software engineering and embedded systems.
• Innovation in Edge Computing
• Explore novel approaches to onboard data processing, including AI/ML inference, distributed computing, and low-latency decision-making.
• Prototype and evaluate new software architectures that improve autonomy, fault tolerance, or energy efficiency in orbit.

Applying for Position:

• Only open to South African citizens.
• If you are interested in this great career opportunity, please send your CV.