Flight Software Engineer II, Space Systems

About Katalyst

Katalyst is an American technology company focused on dynamic space operations. We are building a fleet of dual-use multipurpose robotic space vehicles to create the future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, resupply, and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space exploration that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Culture

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. You’ll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. You’ll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own embedded flight software for modules including from requirements and architecture through implementation, integration, qualification, launch, and on-orbit operations.
• Implement real-time software for payload control, sensor commanding, data acquisition and processing, telemetry, time synchronization, health monitoring, and spacecraft interfaces.
• Translate mission and payload requirements into clear software interfaces, state machines, command/telemetry definitions, fault responses, and testable software requirements.
• Integrate flight software with avionics, GNC, communications, power, payload hardware, ground software, and mission operations, resolving timing, data, and interface issues at the system level.
• Build and maintain unit, integration, hardware-in-the-loop, and end-to-end test capabilities; use telemetry, logs, and instrumentation to diagnose anomalies and drive root-cause closure.
• Design for deterministic behavior, resource constraints, fault tolerance, graceful degradation, safe-state behavior, and reliable recovery in a mission-critical embedded environment.
• Own software quality through code reviews, configuration management, test evidence, release discipline, and contributions to design reviews and flight-readiness decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience developing embedded or flight software for spacecraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous systems, or other mission-critical products.
• Demonstrated ownership of embedded software from requirements and architecture through implementation, integration, verification, deployment, and operational support.
• Strong proficiency in C and/or C++, with solid fundamentals in real-time and embedded software, concurrency, memory/resource management, state machines, interfaces, and debugging.
• Experience with RTOS-based or embedded Linux systems, device drivers, board support packages, bootloaders, or low-level hardware interfaces.
• Hands-on experience integrating software with hardware, sensors, processors, communication buses, and test equipment in laboratory or hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Strong technical communication skills and the ability to work effectively across flight software, payload, avionics, GNC, systems, ground software, test, and operations teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where ownership, initiative, and sound engineering judgment are essential.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

• Developing spacecraft flight software or payload software through environmental qualification, launch, and on-orbit operations.
• Spacecraft or embedded interfaces such as CAN, SpaceWire, Ethernet, RS-422/485, SPI, I2C, UART, or similar buses and protocols.
• Sensor or payload data pipelines, time synchronization, telemetry/command systems, onboard processing, or data reduction in resource-constrained environments.
• Fault detection, isolation and recovery (FDIR), watchdogs, redundancy, safe-state design, and robust software behavior under off-nominal conditions.
• Modern software engineering practices including version control, automated testing, CI/CD for embedded systems, static analysis, and configuration-controlled releases.

Additional Requirements: Must comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires U.S. export law authorization for non-U.S. persons before employment.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is $115,000 - $155,000 annually. Base salary is determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

• Long-term incentives in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan.
• Relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off.