Space Flight Software Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate proposed weapon system or satellite flight software solutions for compliance with technical, performance, and safety requirements.
• Validate architectural design choices in areas such as software reliability, scalability, and system integration capabilities.
• Analyze the proposed software's compatibility with onboard hardware systems and operational environments, ensuring alignment with mission-specific needs.
• Technical Analysis Review algorithms for satellite attitude control, power management, telemetry data processing, and payload operations to ensure mission performance.
• Assess software robustness against space-based environmental challenges, including radiation effects, memory failures, and thermal extremes.
• Evaluate the vendor's fault tolerance and error-handling mechanisms for critical satellite operations.
• Generate detailed technical documentation summarizing findings, including comparative performance analyses, risk assessments, and recommendations for vendor solution approval.
• Prepare comprehensive test evaluation reports outlining identified issues and mitigation strategies for external and internal stakeholders.
• Present technical evaluations and vendor compliance ratings to leadership teams, ensuring alignment with mission goals and industry best practices.
• Participate in vendor testing campaigns (e.g., simulation testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing) to independently verify stated software capabilities.
• Evaluate test data for alignment with expected operational benchmarks, paying close attention to anomalies or discrepancies.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams, including hardware engineers, spacecraft systems analysts, and cybersecurity experts, to evaluate vendor-proposed solutions holistically.
• Maintain regular communication with vendors to facilitate clarification of software designs and identify potential risks early.
• Identify software-related risks, such as reliability under space conditions, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, or integration complexities, and propose mitigation strategies.
• Ensure all vendor-proposed software solutions align with DoD standards, requirements, and other applicable industry benchmarks.

Required Qualifications

• Strong technical understanding of weapon system or satellite flight software principles, including real-time operating systems, embedded programming, and space-specific protocols.
• Proficiency in analyzing systems designed for satellite navigation, telemetry, communications software, and payload command/control systems.
• Familiarity with relevant standards such as NASA Software Safety Standards, IEEE Space Systems Standards, and DoD specifications for space systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in space systems software evaluation, integration, or architecture development.
• Demonstrated experience in vendor evaluation processes or cross-functional collaborations within defense or government-level programs is highly desirable.
• Active Secret Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility is required.

Skills And Competencies

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey complex technical evaluations to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment requires multitasking under tight deadlines.