// FLIGHT SOFTWARE · SATELLITES · UAVs

Francisco
Granda.

Systems-focused software engineer building mission-critical software for spacecraft and unmanned systems — from bare-metal firmware to ground control stations.

BASED
Waterloo
Ontario, Canada
STACK
Rust · C/C++
Python · MATLAB
TENURE
4+ yrs
aerospace software
ENTER
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01OPERATOR

About

I'm a systems-focused software engineer with 4+ years building flight software and ground systems for satellites and UAVs.

My work spans resilient systems in harsh environments, multithreaded real-time control, and hardware-software integration across Linux, Windows, and embedded targets.

I care about correctness, quality, and fast iteration. I've led end-to-end software lifecycles, hardware-in-the-loop implementation, and integration campaigns with external partners and component manufacturers.

LANGUAGES
  • Rust
  • C / C++
  • Python
  • MATLAB
SYSTEMS
  • Embedded · STM32 · FPGA
  • Linux · Windows · Bare-metal
  • SPI · I²C · CAN · UART
  • RF · GNSS · HIL · ESP32
  • Multithreading · Real-time
AEROSPACE
  • Spacecraft ADCS
  • Systems Engineering
  • State Estimation · EKF
  • Sensor Fusion
  • Flight Control · Simulation
QUANTUM
  • Qiskit · IBM Quantum
  • Classiq
  • PennyLane · Xanadu
  • D-Wave Ocean
  • Amazon Braket
TOOLING
  • Docker · CMake
  • GitLab CI/CD · Git
  • Qt · MATLAB / Simulink
  • Speedgoat HIL
  • Wireshark · Logic Analyzers
02LOGBOOK

Experience

2025.05 —PRESENT
SOFTWARE INTEGRATION SPECIALIST
StarSpec Technologies Inc.
Cambridge, ON
  • Architecting mission-critical flight software for the InspireSAT-12U-MVP satellite — ADCS, communications, and power subsystems, plus the supporting ground control station.
  • Engineering core flight software and high-fidelity system simulations in Rust and C/C++, driving RF transmission links, complex device control, and low-level bus protocols (SPI, I²C, CAN, UART) for end-to-end data flow.
  • Leading integration cycles with external partners, component manufacturers, and ground station operators to align third-party hardware with internal flight software and guarantee mission readiness.
2022.09 —2025.05
SOFTWARE ENGINEER
UVAD Technologies Inc.
Medicine Hat, AB
  • Designed and shipped safety-critical software for UAV platforms and ground control stations, meeting industry and NATO reliability standards.
  • Built flight control and real-time simulation software in C++/Qt, refining UI components and operator workflows for live mission use.
  • Partnered with cross-functional teams on rapid prototyping cycles to deliver production-quality software under tight iteration timelines.
2018.05 —2018.12
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Quito, Ecuador
  • Implemented state-of-the-art DSP techniques for seismic signal processing and event classification, reaching 93.34% and 96.88% mean accuracy across two datasets.
  • Conducted statistical and qualitative analysis of results, preparing the data for peer-reviewed scientific publication.
03TRAINING

Education

May 2025
University of Calgary
Graduate Diploma, Quantum Computing
Jun 2022
University of Toronto
M.Eng · Aerospace Science & Engineering
Aug 2019
Univ. San Francisco de Quito
B.Eng · Electrical Engineering
04VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Experience

2021.10 —2022.09
ADCS PROJECT ENGINEER
UofT Aerospace Team · FINCH Mission
  • Comprehensive literature review on attitude determination, state estimation, and sensor fusion to shape the FINCH ADCS approach.
  • Developed nonlinear satellite models, Extended Kalman Filters, orbit propagation, and magnetic field analyses in MATLAB/Simulink, improving modeling accuracy.
  • Mentored junior team members on sensor fusion and estimation algorithms.
FINCH orbit propagation plot
2021.09 —2022.09
LEAD ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
aUToronto · Self-Driving Vehicle Team
  • Designed and implemented a multi-sensor synchronization system reaching sub-microsecond accuracy using Verilog HDL on FPGA and Network Time Protocol.
  • Managed hardware installation and electrical integration for vehicle equipment.
  • Prepared and delivered FPGA development tutorials to junior members.
FPGA sensor sync block diagram
05QUANTUM

Quantum Journey

Parallel to my aerospace work, I've been building depth in quantum computing — foundational coursework to hands-on development across major quantum SDKs. The goal: bridge classical mission-critical systems with the next generation of quantum-enabled tooling for space.

GRADUATE PROGRAM
Master of Quantum Computing
University of Calgary · Sep 2024 — May 2025

Graduate diploma covering quantum algorithms, circuit design, and modern quantum SDKs, with emphasis on practical implementation on real hardware.

COMPETITION · WINNER
Classiq Mega Challenge
Classiq · 2024

Submitted solution was selected as one of the winners of the Classiq Mega Challenge — a global quantum algorithm design competition.

PROGRAM · COMPLETED
AI-SEQ for Quantum Computing
QuLearnLabs · EIT Deep Tech · Oct 2025

Intensive program on applying AI-assisted workflows to quantum software engineering and post-quantum cryptography.

CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

  • QuLearnLabs · AI-SEQ & Post-Quantum CryptographyOct 2025
  • D-Wave · Quantum Programming CoreFeb 2025
  • Classiq · Advanced ProficiencyDec 2024
  • AWS · Amazon BraketSept 2024
  • Xanadu · Introduction to PennyLaneJul 2024
06LIFE

Life & Motivation

The hard work to pursue engineering as a life project happens in real life. But the fuel powering these efforts and dreams comes from distant worlds found mainly in Speculative Fiction.

CURRENT READS & REFERENCES

The Foundation Trilogy SF-04
The Foundation Trilogy

Asimov's Foundation remains one of the most transcendental pieces in SF history. A cautionary tale that reminds humanity to never be stagnant and keep pushing the edges of knowledge.

The Inner Light TV-07
The Inner Light — ST:TNG S5E25

One of my favorite episodes in TV history. Always touching to reflect on humanity's place in the universe. The reminder that we only have one planet to call home adds to my focus of pursuing the stars while improving life on Earth.

Haru wa Yuku MUSIC-03
Haru wa Yuku — Aimer

My curiosity for exploration follows music from multiple cultures. This song reminds me of spring, my favorite season. And one of the best movies in history: Fate Heaven's Feel III.

Luna LUNA-01
Luna

With the Spanish word for "moon" as her name, my cat holds the subjective opinion of being the most beautiful being. A partner in the long study nights.

A Vulcan salute held against the Cupola window aboard the ISS, with Earth below ISS-42
Live Long and Prosper

Vulcan salute against the Cupola window as the station passed over Boston, Leonard Nimoy's birthplace, the day after he died. Science fiction and real spaceflight reaching for each other across the glass. In one frame, inspiration to pursue this work.

07FREQUENCY

Contact

Open to conversations about flight software, spacecraft systems, and quantum computing.

LINKEDIN
/in/francisco-granda
for formal affairs →
GITHUB
@FGranda2
public repositories →