Flight Software Internship - Summer 2027

Description

The company develops commercial space infrastructure, including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing and reentry capsules. It designs and builds its spacecraft in-house, covering payloads, capsules, heat shields and satellite buses. The company was founded in 2021 and is run by a team with experience from aerospace and pharmaceutical firms.

Headquarters are in El Segundo, California, with a production facility where vehicles, equipment and materials are built, integrated and tested. The company also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, Alabama.

The flight software team writes the embedded code that runs on the spacecraft. That code handles autonomous control, data handling and fault protection in orbit.

As an intern you will join a collaborative startup team and learn from experienced aerospace engineers.

Responsibilities

• Write, implement and debug embedded C++ software that runs on spacecraft systems
• Develop and test real-time C++ code on flight computers that supports guidance, navigation, control, power management and communications
• Work close to the hardware, integrating with sensors, actuators and avionics so the vehicle performs reliably in every mission phase
• Read and apply hardware interface specifications and component datasheets
• Help with systems integration and testing
• Work with avionics and systems teams to confirm that software behaves as intended

Requirements

• Proficiency in C++
• Solid understanding of computer architecture and operating systems
• Experience with embedded systems or microcontrollers, not limited to Arduino
• Familiarity with Linux environments
• Ability to troubleshoot and debug low-level software problems
• Preferred: hands-on embedded development outside coursework
• Preferred: previous internship or project team experience
• Preferred: experience reading and using component datasheets
• Preferred: coursework in embedded systems, digital design or electronics
• Relevant coursework: computer architecture, operating systems, software engineering and computer science fundamentals, data structures and algorithms
• Bonus: signals and systems
• Bonus: digital design, assembly, embedded systems or electronics

Conditions

Full-time internship on site in Los Angeles, California, running from May to August, with exact dates set by your university schedule

You must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program to apply

Hourly rate of $37.00

Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area

Commuter benefit for local transportation

You must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Because the company needs staff who can access export-controlled items without an export license, it only hires 'U.S. persons': U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), such as refugees or people granted asylum.

Benefits

• Paid observed holidays
• 100% company-paid medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents, with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120 per month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness costs
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and dependents
• $20 per pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation support of up to $4,000 gross-up, if eligible
• Commute credit of up to $850 through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible
• Fully stocked kitchen, with lunch provided daily and dinner twice a week
• Team events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging