Embedded Linux Engineer

Job description

• Location: Warsaw • Department: Flight Software • Reports to: Jerzy Stefanowicz • Employment type: Permanent • Workplace model: Hybrid • Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required) Why this role matters: As an Embedded Linux Engineer, you’ll design and maintain the operating systems and bootloaders powering ICEYE’s satellite platforms, enabling reliable, high-performance communication between FPGA-based radar systems and higher-level software. Your work directly supports ICEYE’s ability to deliver near real-time Earth observation data for mission-critical global applications. Who We Are ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations. This includes sovereign and turnkey ISR missions leveraging ICEYE’s world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, as well as access to data from the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities enable partners to detect and respond to critical changes anywhere on Earth with unprecedented speed and accuracy, day or night and in any weather, supported by ultra high-resolution imagery and high-frequency revisits. As a trusted partner for defence, intelligence, security, and maritime domain awareness, ICEYE’s near real-time data creates a tactical advantage for mission-critical operations. Designed for dual use, the platform also serves civil protection and commercial users for natural-catastrophe intelligence, insurance, maritime monitoring including oil-spill detection, and finance, contributing to global security and community resilience. ICEYE is headquartered in Finland and operates globally across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We have more than 900 employees, united by a shared vision: improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. Your day-to-day responsibilities • Develop and enhance Linux operating systems for SoC-based satellite modules • Bring up Linux kernels and bootloaders on new hardware platforms and support board-level debugging • Build and maintain kernel drivers and interfaces to expose FPGA functionality to higher software layers • Design and manage system services, boot orchestration, and runtime configuration including FPGA management • Collaborate with FPGA and flight software teams to integrate new features and validate system performance • Develop automation, testing, and deployment infrastructure for reliable software updates across satellite systems What we’re looking for Must haves: • Strong experience in embedded Linux development, including kernel, device tree, and bootloaders • Proficiency with embedded build systems such as Buildroot and GNU toolchains • Solid Linux programming skills across kernel and userspace, including service and system management • Hands-on experience with U-Boot, board bring-up, and low-level debugging from boot to runtime • Experience working with SoC platforms and hardware software integration, ideally with FPGA-based systems • Ability to troubleshoot across the full software stack from hardware interfaces to Linux user space • Experience developing Python-based automation, testing, or validation tools Nice to haves: • Experience with over-the-air update systems for embedded devices • Experience operating and maintaining distributed or remote embedded systems • Knowledge of package management systems such as dpkg, opkg etc • Knowledge of space telecommunications or CCSDS protocols Application Process • Recruiter screen • Hiring manager interview • Technical interview or panel • Task or coding test • Final interview • Security clearance step (if applicable) Working at ICEYE At ICEYE, you’ll join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. Your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority, with continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture where collaboration is how we win. How We Work (Our Values) Make the impossible possible: We set ambitious goals and stay calm under pressure. We bring grit, optimism, and ownership when things get hard, and we keep moving until we find a way. • Be curious: Go deep, ask questions, listen carefully, and think critically. Understand the why behind decisions. • See the big picture: Stay close to what’s happening across the company so you can make better decisions. Consider how your work affects others. • Drive effective teamwork: Create psychological safety, invite different perspectives, and build inclusive teams. There are no bad questions. • Act as one team: We win together. We match tasks to the right owner and stay agile as priorities shift. • Have fun: What we do matters and it should be enjoyable. Celebrate progress, take pride in re