Senior Flight Software Engineer II

Description

The company builds rockets, spacecraft and critical subsystems, and works quickly on real hardware for missions that extend human reach to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

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

The team has supported more than 1,700 missions, including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing and national security and defense work. Its spacecraft, payloads and components have flown to the Moon and Mars, with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force.

This senior role is based at the Long Beach, CA headquarters and supports flight software development for Space Systems programs. You will work across the full software lifecycle, from defining requirements through coding and testing.

Because the company operates its own rockets and launch sites, your software can reach orbit within weeks or months rather than years, and it is regularly tested and run in orbit. You should want your work to shape how space is explored and used for discovery. The team works under pressure and to tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Write application software that runs on a real-time operating system (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux.
• Write hardware drivers that connect to inertial measurement units (IMUs), star trackers, reaction wheels and other spacecraft sensors and actuators.
• Build and maintain thorough unit tests that run in the continuous integration pipeline.
• Work with hardware-in-the-loop test engineers to verify and validate combined software and hardware behavior.
• Work with systems and embedded engineers to write, 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 support flight operations in orbit and for interplanetary missions.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical engineering or an equivalent technical field.
• 8+ years of demonstrated, relevant experience in embedded software development.
• Proficiency in C and C++.
• Experience with an RTOS or embedded Linux.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required because of program requirements.

Conditions

Nice to have: an active Secret or TS/SCI security clearance.

Nice to have: an advanced degree.

Nice to have: experience developing software and drivers with CAN/CAN-FD and/or UDP/TCP in an embedded system.

Nice to have: experience developing software for autonomous vehicles that operate in harsh environments, such as satellites or autonomous vehicles.

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

Base pay range for candidates in California: $151,000 to $227,000 USD.

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

US offices only: to meet U.S. space technology export rules under ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, a lawfully admitted refugee or asylee, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.

New Zealand offices only: background checks, including nationality checks, are completed before any offer. You must be eligible to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data. You may be ineligible if you are not a citizen 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 as part of total compensation, with the chance for your holding to grow as the company expands into new launch sites, missions and markets.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical plans: HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP with a significant company HSA contribution.
• 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.