Company Overview

Our client is a fast-growing technology venture at the forefront of next-generation aerospace solutions. Their mission is to transform access to space through highly innovative, compact satellite systems that enable global-scale impact. Their interdisciplinary team of engineers, designers, and researchers is developing cutting-edge satellite technologies designed to serve industries such as climate monitoring, communications, agriculture, and disaster response. With a strong commitment to sustainability, open collaboration, and continuous learning, the company is pushing the boundaries of what small spacecraft can achieve.

Position Overview

Position: Embedded Hardware Engineer

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Employment Type: Full-Time

As an Embedded Hardware Engineer, you’ll play a key role in building mission-critical systems for spaceborne applications. This role focuses on designing advanced electronic boards, integrating high-speed communication interfaces, controlling image sensors, and developing programmable logic solutions.

You will contribute to the full hardware development cycle, from system requirement analysis and circuit design to testing and validation for components that will operate in some of the most demanding environments imaginable.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate system-level requirements into detailed board-level hardware specifications for spacecraft systems.
• Architect and design electronic circuits, including device selection, component architecture, and interface requirements.
• Develop and test HDL-based designs for programmable logic devices (FPGAs), including simulation, documentation, and integration with embedded systems.
• Create low-level control drivers in C or C++ for in-house IP on embedded systems, operating on bare metal or lightweight RTOS platforms.
• Collaborate on schematic capture and PCB layout in coordination with both internal engineers and external fabrication vendors.
• Manage board fabrication workflows, including manufacturing documentation, procurement requests, and incoming inspection of assembled boards.
• Perform system-level integration, debug interface-level issues, and collaborate closely with adjacent mechanical and software teams.
• Support satellite deployment and operational readiness by participating in system validation, troubleshooting, and real-time monitoring during critical launch and post-launch phases.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency in either Japanese or English at a business communication level.
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in electrical engineering, computer engineering, applied physics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in designing embedded circuits featuring microcontrollers or FPGAs.
• Hands-on development of HDL for logic design, including testbench creation and simulation.
• Working knowledge of embedded computing architectures and peripheral circuit integration.
• Experience with both low-speed (e.g., I2C, SPI, RS422, CAN, SpaceWire) and high-speed (>1 Gbps) interfaces (e.g., PCIe, Ethernet, SpaceFibre).
• Skilled in using test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters.
• Comfortable working across engineering disciplines and capable of collaborative problem-solving in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications (Not Mandatory)

• 3+ years of experience in embedded hardware design or satellite systems engineering.
• Experience working with vendors, including cost negotiation, delivery scheduling, and spec alignment.
• Practical experience with schematic design and PCB layout tools.
• Familiarity with SoC FPGAs and IP core integration.
• Embedded software programming experience in C/C++, especially within RTOS environments (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, etc.).
• Exposure to Python scripting, command-line utilities, and build automation.
• Experience with software version control and CI/CD tools.
• Harness or cable design experience for high-reliability systems.
• Relevant certifications or academic research in embedded systems, hardware design, or aerospace engineering.