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What kind of extracurriculars and projects should I work on if I want to build firmware for space?
I'm a university second year computer science student in Seattle. I'm super interested in embedded systems and firmware and would love to work on systems used by space agencies on their missions. What kind of extracurriculars and projects should I work on to help me build the skills to move towards my goal?
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Ryun’s Answer
Check out open source projects on GitHub in the field you're interested in. Study them and find a way to contribute. Many companies hire developers who have already contributed to their projects, as they know the code well and can start quickly.
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Che'’s Answer
Ryun gave a great answer! I would like to add on one more suggestion.
Consider joining the closest hands-on clubs now: at Seattle University, the best fit appears to be Robotics Club, the Aerospace Club / Aerospace and Aviation Club, and IEEE/ECE-adjacent activities. The Robotics Lab is especially relevant because it includes drone platforms and Pixhawk controllers, which is much closer to flight systems than a generic coding club.
Consider joining the closest hands-on clubs now: at Seattle University, the best fit appears to be Robotics Club, the Aerospace Club / Aerospace and Aviation Club, and IEEE/ECE-adjacent activities. The Robotics Lab is especially relevant because it includes drone platforms and Pixhawk controllers, which is much closer to flight systems than a generic coding club.
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Teklemuz’s Answer
Step 1: Start by building a solid foundation in C/C++ and embedded systems. Focus on key areas like memory management, pointers, interrupts, timing, and real-time behavior. Get familiar with tools such as Linux, Git, GDB, and JTAG/SWD.
Step 2: Dive into hands-on projects with STM32 or ESP32. Try creating a fault-tolerant sensor data logger, an RTOS-based scheduler for telemetry and control tasks, or a system that recovers data after a reset. Practice using communication methods like UART, I2C, and SPI, and add reliability features like CRC and failure recovery.
Step 3: Gain more experience by collaborating with others. Join open-source embedded projects, apply for internships in embedded or hardware-related fields, and get involved in university clubs or volunteer with robotics, embedded systems, or CubeSat/CanSat teams.
Step 4: Improve your skills in testing and validation through unit testing, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and fault injection. Learn about real-time systems and follow safety practices like MISRA C. Develop a mindset that looks at how subsystems interact, rather than just focusing on individual components.
Step 2: Dive into hands-on projects with STM32 or ESP32. Try creating a fault-tolerant sensor data logger, an RTOS-based scheduler for telemetry and control tasks, or a system that recovers data after a reset. Practice using communication methods like UART, I2C, and SPI, and add reliability features like CRC and failure recovery.
Step 3: Gain more experience by collaborating with others. Join open-source embedded projects, apply for internships in embedded or hardware-related fields, and get involved in university clubs or volunteer with robotics, embedded systems, or CubeSat/CanSat teams.
Step 4: Improve your skills in testing and validation through unit testing, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and fault injection. Learn about real-time systems and follow safety practices like MISRA C. Develop a mindset that looks at how subsystems interact, rather than just focusing on individual components.