Senior Flight Software Engineer (Aerospace AI)

About the role

The Senior Flight Software Engineer plays a key role in the Satellite Embedded Software Group, serving as a hands-on individual contributor and technical leader for satellite imaging payload and attitude determination and control (ADCS) subsystems. In this role, you design, develop, and support mission-critical flight software, contribute to requirements and test planning, and collaborate closely with embedded systems, satellite operations, and mission management teams. You will have the opportunity to influence multiple high-impact programs from design through execution and to grow into broader subsystem ownership and mentorship responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise for ADCS and imaging payload subsystem software design and development, ensuring robust, reliable, and maintainable flight software.
• Design, implement, and maintain flight software features for satellite imaging payloads and ADCS subsystems, focusing on mission-critical performance and quality.
• Drive assigned work to timely completion using task management tools such as Jira in an Agile-like environment, actively participating in and leading status meetings, standups, sprint planning, and task breakdown.
• Collaborate closely with other Embedded Software Group team members and cross-functional engineers from multiple disciplines to deliver on-time, defect-free software features and bug fixes.
• Ensure that documentation, testing, inspection, and analysis are adequately planned and executed to verify compliance with system requirements and program goals.
• Affiliate with Systems Engineering teams with requirements development, refinement, and ongoing requirements management for flight software subsystems.
• Execute and provide feedback on flight software design, development, unit testing, integration, and release processes, continuously improving tools and workflows.
• Support board bring-up and integration activities for embedded Linux platforms where applicable, working closely with hardware and systems engineers.
• Lead and influence cross-functional engineering efforts to drive delivery across teams, helping to keep programs on schedule and aligned with technical objectives.
• Perform root cause analysis and problem solving for complex software and system issues, proposing and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in written and verbal forms with diverse technical and non-technical stakeholders, providing status updates and technical insight.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, taking ownership of tasks and proactively identifying and addressing risks and issues.
• Contribute to mentorship and knowledge sharing within the team as you grow in the role, helping to elevate engineering standards and best practices.
• Carry out other job-related duties as assigned in support of satellite flight software development and operations.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 10 years of experience delivering and maintaining commercial or embedded software in a production environment.
• Expert-level ability to engineer clean, maintainable, and efficient C/C++ code for embedded and flight software applications.
• Strong proficiency in Python for tooling, automation, testing, and embedded software support workflows.
• Hands-on experience with embedded systems, ideally including Embedded Linux platforms and environments.
• Expertise with embedded Linux build systems and related tools such as Buildroot and Yocto.
• Prominent experience delivering production embedded software for mission-critical or hardware-integrated systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and engineering efforts to deliver products on time and within scope.
• Outstanding root cause analysis and problem-solving skills for complex software and system issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and skill sets.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse environment and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, taking ownership of tasks and driving them to completion.
• Capability to support programs that may require US citizenship, in accordance with applicable program requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with board bring-up for embedded Linux platforms, including low-level software and hardware integration.
• Familiarity with hardware interfaces such as GPIO, I2C, SPI, CAN, USART, PHY, SpaceWire, Cameralink, and RS-422.
• Experience working with high-speed interfaces including 10G Ethernet, DMA, and PCIe.
• Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems, including FreeRTOS, for embedded and flight software applications.
• Familiarity with boot loaders such as U-Boot or similar technologies for embedded systems.
• Space industry experience, particularly in satellite systems and payloads.
• Experience working on embedded software related to ADCS and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC).
• Knowledge of satellite payload systems and imaging applications.
• Exposure to tools and workflows commonly used in embedded development such as Buildroot, Yocto, and related ecosystems.