Principal Flight Software Engineer

Description

The company builds autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software and space-based interceptors that support space superiority for the U.S. and its Allies, treating space as a warfighting domain.

As Principal Flight Software Engineer you act as the technical authority across the full spacecraft software stack, from concept through on-orbit operations, and you set the bar for the engineers around you.

Responsibilities

• Set the architecture and technical direction for flight software on space missions, covering on-board computers, processing units and related systems.
• Lead design and development of safety-critical embedded software, prioritizing long-term maintainability and mission reliability.
• Integrate complex GNC algorithms into flight software, working closely with the GNC team to keep them correct and performant.
• Define and maintain the Command Telemetry Database (CTDB) architecture used in ground and on-orbit testing and operations.
• Set and enforce software engineering standards, including coding practices, design patterns, and verification and validation methods.
• Align interfaces, data flows and operational concepts with the ground C2 software team across the whole system.
• Architect and lead HITL and SITL simulation environments for subsystem and full-vehicle testing.
• Design and own reusable device driver and communications protocol libraries for flight hardware platforms.
• Act as a key technical voice in design reviews, architecture discussions and cross-functional planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience with embedded systems, low-level firmware architecture and safety-critical software.
• Demonstrated ownership of flight software architecture on delivered space or safety-critical programs.
• Deep expertise in low-level device driver development and real-time embedded systems.
• Hands-on experience with embedded RTOS platforms such as RTLinux or Azure RTOS.
• Strong command of Ethernet, SPI, I2C, CAN, RS422 and RS485 communication protocols.
• Expert-level C/C++ and working proficiency in Python.
• Ability to maintain or obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• Preferred: Master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• Preferred: 15+ years of flight software development experience with direct contributions to on-orbit missions.
• Preferred: Proven record of defining and upholding engineering standards across a software organization.
• Preferred: Experience leading architecture reviews and driving technical decisions across multidisciplinary teams.
• Preferred: Familiarity with embedded Linux and the UDP and TCP/IP networking protocols.
• Preferred: Fluency with embedded toolchains, compilers, debuggers and IDEs.
• Preferred: Experience with microcontrollers, application processors and revision control systems at scale.
• Preferred: Advanced debugging skills using oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.
• Preferred: Background in robotics, automation, motor control or sensor fusion.

Conditions

Base salary range is $180,000 to $285,000.

Your level and base salary are decided case by case, based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, location and experience.

This is an onsite role, with candidates sought near Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA.

The posting describes the work environment and physical demands, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving, which may apply to the role.

The role stays open until filled.

Export control: to meet U.S. Government space technology export rules, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, a protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal employment opportunity applies on any basis protected by state and federal law, and accommodation requests are welcome.

Benefits

• Equity is part of total compensation, offering a share in the company's success.
• Health, dental and vision coverage paid 100% by the company for you and your dependents, with HSA or HRA options.
• Flexible Time Off for exempt employees; accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees; 12 paid holidays; parental leave; sick leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement and Dog Fridays.
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees.
• Not open to fixed-term or temporary roles.