Company Description
At Protostar Labs, we design and develop onboard intelligent vision and data processing systems for high-reliability environments where size, weight, power, and cost are tightly constrained. Our technologies bring intelligence directly to satellites, enabling efficient in-orbit data processing, edge AI, and more autonomous space missions.
We work on institutional and commercial space projects, partnering with startups, established companies, and organizations such as the European Space Agency. While space remains our primary focus, our technologies also support demanding terrestrial sectors such as defense, robotics, and industrial automation.
Our vision is to build a globally recognized Croatian space technology company developing advanced spacecraft subsystems and onboard intelligence for the next generation of space missions.
Role Overview
We are looking for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our team and contribute to challenging projects. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and developing firmware and embedded software — from architecture and implementation through to testing and integration on target hardware. You will play a central role in shaping the reliability and performance of our solutions across a range of demanding industries, from space and defense, to industrial applications.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Engineering team, developing embedded software solutions across a range of industries — from space and defense to industrial application
- Design, develop, and maintain firmware and embedded software in C/C++, with a focus on reliability, performance, and maintainability
- Take ownership of firmware bring-up, testing procedures, and validation on target hardware
- Implement and integrate communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, CAN, UART) with sensors, actuators, and other peripherals
- Participate in the development of embedded vision systems, including software integration of cameras and imaging sensors
- Develop software for monitoring and control of electronic systems, including power management, thermal regulation, and health monitoring of spacecraft and other critical components
- Participate in software and design reviews and provide technical feedback across the team
- Write and maintain clear technical documentation
- Manage firmware and software revisions using version control practices
Required Skills
- Proven experience in embedded software development in C/C++
- Solid understanding of microcontroller architectures such as STM32, SAM, ESP, or similar platforms
- Strong knowledge of communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, CAN, UART, and similar
- Experience with firmware bring-up, debugging, and on-target validation
- Familiarity with digital electronics fundamentals and reading hardware schematics
- Hands-on debugging experience using tools such as JTAG, SWD, oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
- Proficiency in technical English, written and spoken
Bonus Points
- Familiarity with Linux environments and embedded Linux platforms
- Experience with real-time operating systems (e.g. Zephyr, FreeRTOS), including task scheduling and resource management
- Experience with PCB design tools such as Altium, KiCad or similar EDA tools
- Experience with embedded vision systems and image processing libraries (e.g. OpenCV)
- Soldering skills, including SMD rework
What We Offer
- Work on challenging space technologies, including onboard data processing, edge AI, and intelligent vision systems for satellites
- Collaborate with a small, highly skilled engineering team where ideas move quickly and learning happens every day
- Opportunity to experiment with new technologies and contribute directly to real space missions
- Professional development through training within the ESA ecosystem, and participation in international conferences, workshops, and trade shows
- Flexible working hours
- Unlimited coffee and drinks