Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
Why this Role is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
This Staff Embedded Software Designer role stands out in the SaaS ecosystem because it sits at the infrastructure edge where software reliability directly determines service availability. Kepler’s work on space and ground systems for a commercial optical data relay constellation reflects a SaaS adjacent model: delivering an always on connectivity capability that must behave like a service, even when the underlying environment is harsh, remote, and difficult to patch.
For SaaS career builders, the long-term value is in learning how to engineer for operability rather than just feature delivery. Experience with automated validation, maintainability, and performance tuning in constrained systems translates well to high-scale SaaS concerns like incident prevention, latency budgets, and safe rollout practices. The emphasis on Linux networking, layered debugging, and architecture discussions also builds systems thinking that carries into platform engineering, SRE, and product infrastructure roles across SaaS companies.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it!
Our mission is to provide real-time Internet access for space-based assets, enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.
Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.
If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!
What We Offer:
* Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.
* Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.
* Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.
* Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events.
* Relocation packages available for approved roles.
* $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.
* Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.
* Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.
* We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, five years in a row!
We're on the hunt for a top-tier Embedded Software Engineer. Your focus will be on software development and maintenance required for both space and ground-based assets for a growing fleet of spacecraft. You'll be relied upon for input and decisions that will directly impact design and operation.
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Key Responsibilities:
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Design, develop, and maintain reliable, high-quality embedded software for both spacecraft and ground-based systems supporting a growing fleet of satellites
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Developing software for FPGA-based platforms, including bring-up, driver integration, and optimization of memory-mapped interfaces between processing cores and custom IP.
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Identify performance gaps, reliability risks, and architectural shortcomings in existing systems, and drive improvements across the software stack
Required Skills & Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
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Experience working close to operating system internals, including concurrency, IPC, synchronization, memory management, and hardware/software interfaces
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Experience with embedded build systems and toolchains such as Yocto/OpenEmbedded, Buildroot, CMake, or similar
Bonus Points:
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Experience implementing embedded security solutions such as secure boot, hardware security modules (HSMs), certificate/key management, authentication, or encrypted communications
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Familiarity with Linux networking concepts and infrastructure, including routing, interfaces, netlink, or packet-processing pipelines
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Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement
Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at accommodation@kepler.space, and we will work with you to meet your needs.
