Embedded Software & Firmware Engineer

About the role

Golbriak Space OÜ builds secure, high-data-rate free-space optical communication terminals for space, airborne and ground applications. As we transition from engineering builds towards serial production, we are looking for an Embedded Software & Firmware Engineer to join our multidisciplinary engineering team in Tallinn.

This role sits at the intersection of embedded software, electronics, hardware and systems engineering. You will develop firmware for Golbriak Space’s optical communication technologies and contribute throughout the development lifecycle—from implementation and debugging to hardware integration, testing and validation.

We are primarily looking for a junior-to-mid-level engineer, but we are also open to more experienced candidates who enjoy hands-on engineering and want to contribute in a fast-moving deep-tech startup.

The role

You will develop and maintain embedded software and firmware primarily in Rust, using C where relevant.

You will work with bare-metal RISC-V and embedded Linux on ARM environments, closely interacting with electronics, communication interfaces and target hardware. The role combines software development with hands-on integration, testing and problem-solving.

Key responsibilities

Firmware and embedded software development

• Develop and maintain embedded software and firmware primarily in Rust.
• Use C where relevant for embedded and low-level development.
• Develop for bare-metal RISC-V and embedded Linux on ARM environments.
• Implement reliable software for resource-constrained embedded systems.
• Investigate and resolve software, firmware and system-level issues.

Hardware integration and verification

• Integrate firmware with electronics, hardware and communication interfaces.
• Test, debug and validate software on target hardware.
• Support hardware–software integration and system-level testing.
• Contribute to verification activities and resolve integration issues.

Engineering collaboration and documentation

• Work closely with electronics, optics and systems engineers.
• Participate in code reviews and technical discussions.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation.
• Help improve software development, testing and documentation practices.

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• Take increasing ownership of technical tasks as your understanding of our systems develops.

What we are looking for

Required experience and skills

• A bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, electronics, robotics or another relevant technical field.
• A solid understanding of embedded software or firmware development.
• Understanding of resource-constrained systems and hardware–software interaction.
• A practical and structured approach to testing, debugging and problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently while recognising when collaboration or support is needed.
• Readiness to work in a startup environment where priorities and technical requirements may evolve.
• Professional working proficiency in English at C1 level or equivalent.

Professional profile

• Technically curious and motivated by hands-on engineering.
• Structured and reliable in completing assigned work.
• Proactive and willing to take ownership.
• Comfortable solving unfamiliar technical problems.
• Collaborative, respectful and open to feedback.
• Interested in working across software, electronics and hardware disciplines.
• Comfortable working directly with founders and a small engineering team.
• Able to communicate technical information clearly.

Nice to have

• Experience with C and Rust
• Experience with embedded Linux.
• Experience with RISC-V, ARM or bare-metal development.
• Experience integrating and debugging software on embedded hardware.
• Familiarity with telecommunications or communication systems.
• Experience with Java, particularly for graphical user interfaces and system interfaces.
• Experience with Python for tooling, testing or automation.
• Experience in aerospace, robotics, automation, electronics or another deep-tech environment.

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• A GitHub profile, portfolio or other examples of technical projects.

You do not need to meet every nice-to-have requirement to apply.

What we offer

• A hands-on engineering role with direct impact on advanced optical communication technologies.
• Meaningful technical ownership and the opportunity to see your work move from implementation to hardware integration and validation.
• Close collaboration with an international and multidisciplinary engineering team.
• The opportunity to develop your expertise across embedded software, electronics, optics and aerospace systems.
• The ability to contribute to technical decisions and engineering practices as the company grows.
• A gross annual base salary of €35,000–€57,000, depending on experience, skills and the expected level of responsibility.
• Relocation support to Estonia if required.
• Reasonable flexibility in working hours, consistent with operational and team needs.

Working arrangement

This is a primarily onsite position in Tallinn, Estonia, as the role involves close collaboration with hardware, integration and testing. Limited hybrid work may be agreed depending on the employee’s responsibilities and the stage of the work.

The role follows standard business hours in Estonia, with reasonable flexibility in daily starting and finishing times by agreement with the hiring manager.

Other important information

This position may require the selected candidate to be eligible to obtain government security clearance.

Golbriak Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or disability status.

At Golbriak Space, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve complex engineering challenges. We foster an inclusive environment built on integrity, responsibility and employee empowerment.

How to apply

Please submit [email protected] :

• Your CV.
• A link to your GitHub profile, portfolio or examples of relevant technical projects, if available.
• Contact details for at least one professional or academic referee.
• A short answer to the following question: Tell us about something technical you have built, improved or solved. What was your contribution, and what did you learn?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.