Principal Software Engineer, Spacecraft Simulation

Description

The company builds autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors for the U.S. and its Allies, with a focus on space superiority.

The team is building a simulation platform that covers multi-physics modeling of spacecraft and constellations, plus simulation of complex, dynamic environments that have no established methods yet.

The platform will support mission planning, autonomy development, GNC validation, and operational decisions across scenarios that are technically new.

Responsibilities

• Set the long-term technical strategy and architecture for the simulation infrastructure, covering multi-physics modeling, real-time and faster-than-real-time execution, and hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop environments.
• Make major architectural calls on technology choice, interfaces between systems, performance targets, and long-term maintainability, weighing their effects on engineering, GNC, mission planning, and operations.
• Find and resolve fundamental technical risks before they block the program, and identify capability gaps 12 to 24 months ahead so the team can invest early.
• Set and maintain engineering standards, simulation practices, and verification and validation frameworks used across the organization.
• Lead the design and build of production-grade multi-physics simulation software for spacecraft subsystems, including 6DOF rigid body dynamics with gravity gradient, solar radiation pressure, drag, magnetic torques and third-body effects, plus thermal, attitude control, chemical and electric propulsion, power, and sensor and actuator models.
• Design coupled physics algorithms for interactions such as thermal-structural, power-thermal and propulsion-dynamics, keeping numerical stability, accuracy and speed in focus.
• Create time-stepping methods, solvers and integration schemes that scale for real-time and batch simulation.
• Write high-performance C++ that is correct, maintainable and testable, and set the quality bar for the team.
• Define the external API strategy for the simulation platform in C++ and Python, keeping interfaces clear, fast, versioned and backward compatible.
• Work with mission planning, GNC, systems engineering and autonomy teams to turn their needs into durable, well-documented platform features.
• Produce documentation, developer guides and reference examples so other teams can work on their own.
• Act as the technical lead for the simulation team, giving architectural guidance, clearing blockers and keeping work aligned on shared goals.
• Build engineering quality through thorough code reviews, mentoring, pair programming and knowledge sharing.
• Mentor engineers at every level and take part in their career planning and growth.
• Work with engineering leadership on simulation roadmaps, tradeoffs, proposals and technical white papers.
• Represent simulation engineering in cross-functional reviews, program meetings and customer discussions.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, computer science, physics or applied math, or equivalent experience. An advanced degree is preferred.
• 10+ years of professional software work focused on simulation, scientific computing or aerospace, with a clear path into technical leadership.
• Expert modern C++ (C++17 or later), including the STL, templates, performance tuning and large system design.
• Python skills for API design, scripting, automation and data analysis.
• A record of setting technical direction for large software systems and leading multi-team work to delivered results.
• Deep expertise in at least two of: ADCS, GNC, thermal control, electric power, chemical or electric propulsion, orbital mechanics, or HIL/SIL systems.
• Experience defining and running verification and validation for physics-based models at scale, including uncertainty quantification and validation against test or flight data.
• Ability to make sound architecture decisions in complex, distributed systems.
• Strong written and spoken communication, able to explain complex technical ideas to engineers and to non-technical leaders.

Conditions

Base salary is $210,000 to $325,000.

Equity and benefits are offered. Final level and base salary depend on job-related skills and knowledge, education, location and experience.

This role is fully onsite. You must live in or be able to commute daily to the Denver or Long Beach office.

The position stays open until filled.

To meet U.S. export rules for space technology, 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 the required authorization from the U.S. Department of State.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider accommodation requests.

Benefits

• 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 staff. Non-exempt staff accrue up to 25 days of PTO. Also 12 paid holidays, parental leave and sick leave.
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for people working in the office.
• A 401(k) plan, fitness reimbursement and Dog Fridays.
• Equity is part of total compensation.