Senior Flight Software Engineer I

Description

The company builds rockets, spacecraft and critical subsystems, and works toward missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads and components such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems and radios.

The team has supported more than 1,700 missions, from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense work, with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force.

This Senior Flight Software Engineer I role is based at the headquarters in Long Beach, CA, and supports flight software for the Space Systems programs.

You will take part in software work from requirements through coding and testing. Because the company runs its own rockets and launch sites, your code can reach orbit within weeks or months and gets tested on orbit often.

The team is made up of driven engineers who take on hard projects and aim to make a real difference in how space is explored and used.

Responsibilities

• Build application software that runs on a Real Time Operating System (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux.
• Write hardware drivers that interface with Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels and other spacecraft sensors and actuators.
• Create and maintain thorough unit tests that run inside a Continuous Integration framework.
• Work with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify and validate combined software and hardware behavior.
• Work with systems and embedded systems engineers to define, document and validate requirements.
• Review source code changes to confirm they meet company coding standards.
• Take part in design reviews, including PDR and CDR.
• Help with flight operations on orbit and in interplanetary missions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering or an equivalent technical field.
• 5+ years of proven experience in embedded software development.
• Proficiency in C and C++.
• Experience with RTOS or Embedded Linux.
• Ability to obtain and keep a security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required because of program requirements.
• Nice to have: active Secret or TS/SCI security clearance.
• Nice to have: advanced degree.
• Nice to have: experience writing software and drivers for CAN/CAN-FD and/or UDP/TCP within an embedded system.
• Nice to have: experience developing software for autonomous vehicles that operate in harsh environments, such as satellites or autonomous vehicles.

Conditions

Base pay range (CA only) is $132,000 - $198,000 USD.

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

The role may involve long periods of sitting, standing, walking and computer work, plus occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust and fumes in production areas.

For U.S. office candidates: to meet U.S. space technology export rules under ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce, as applicable.

For New Zealand office candidates: background checks, including nationality checks, are done before any offer, and you must be eligible to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data. You may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

Benefits

• Company stock is part of total compensation, and your ownership may grow as the company expands.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical plans: HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP with a significant company contribution to an HSA.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick time, plus 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, and discounted gym memberships.
• Complimentary snacks and beverages.
• 50% employee discount on the company merch store, plus other employee discounts.