> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1415217-lead-flight-software-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1415217-lead-flight-software-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Flight Software Engineer - **Company:** NewOrbit Space - **Location:** Reading, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), Configuration Management, Static Program Analysis, Code Review, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Linux on Embedded Systems, Middleware, Fault Tolerance, Real-Time Operating Systems, Regression Testing, Static Timing Analysis, Subsystems, Systems Integration, Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, Digital Twin, Data Logging, Serial Peripheral Interface, Real Time Systems, Integration Tests - **Published:** July 24, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d17f1b960162bea1 ## About the Role * Proven experience in building production embedded or real-time systems in C/C++ and/or Rust on RTOS or Embedded Linux for space systems. * Strong grasp of real-time software: scheduling, interrupts, concurrency primitives, determinism, and designing for constrained CPU/memory. * Proven ability to build reliable, testable systems: unit/integration testing, simulation-first development, HIL validation, and disciplined debugging. * Hands-on experience integrating with hardware via common interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN(-FD), GPIO, etc.) and practical lab debugging. * Solid software engineering fundamentals: architecture, code review, static analysis, CI/CD, configuration management, and observability/logging. * Ability to own systems end-to-end: from requirements and design through implementation, verification, operations support, and iterative improvement. Nice-to-haves * Experience with spacecraft flight software frameworks (e.g., cFS, F´, or building lightweight component-based equivalents). * Familiarity with autonomy and fault management patterns for radiation/SEUs, watchdog strategies, redundancy, and safe-mode design. * GNC/AOCS-adjacent experience: sensor/actuator pipelines, control-loop integration, estimation/filters, timing analysis. * Digital-twin / simulator / SIL-HIL experience for end-to-end behavior validation and regression testing. * On-orbit operations know-how: commissioning flows, anomaly response, telemetry triage, and OTA update strategies. ## Description You'll own the software that makes the spacecraft behave: real-time control flows, autonomy, mode management, and the core flight applications that coordinate every subsystem. You'll design and implement robust flight-software services on RTOS or Embedded Linux - turning mission requirements into deterministic, testable software - then take it from simulation all the way to launch and on-orbit operations. You'll ensure our VLEO satellites stay safe and productive with strong fault tolerance, clean observability, and rapid iteration through over-the-air updates., * Own the on-board flight-software stack - design, implement and test real-time Rust/C/C++ on RTOS or Embedded Linux. * Integrate subsystems end-to-end - define ICDs and build drivers/middleware over I2C/SPI/UART/CAN(-FD)/SpaceWire (as applicable). * Build spacecraft behaviors & autonomy - implement mode management, sequencing, and autonomous FDIR for safe and productive operations. * Deliver reliable real-time performance - manage concurrency, timing, CPU/memory budgets, and observability under tight constraints. * Build verification infrastructure - prototypes, SIL/HIL test harnesses, simulations, and telemetry analysis tooling to validate designs early. * Ship code from review to orbit - push through CI/CD, support integration and launch ops, and deliver secure over-the-air updates. * Work across disciplines - collaborate with avionics, AOCS, comms and mission teams to trade compute, power, thermal, storage and link budgets. ## Related Videos - [What I learned as a developer from accidents in space](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/642-what-i-learned-as-a-developer-from-accidents-in-space) - [Are Code Reviews Worth It? Insights from 16 Years of Review Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1135-are-code-reviews-worth-it-insights-from-16-years-of-review-data) - [Developer’s Perspective: Overview of the Tezos Blockchain Ecosystem](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/237-developer-s-perspective-overview-of-the-tezos-blockchain-ecosystem) - [10M Data Records Lost, Underwater Computing, and Psychedelic Fish - Matthias Geniar](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1908-10m-data-records-lost-underwater-computing-and-psychedelic-fish-matthias-geniar) - [Crew Management System for Airlines: Plan duties for pilots & flight attendants worldwide](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1444-crew-management-system-for-airlines-plan-duties-for-pilots-flight-attendants-worldwide) - [Build a CI/CD pipeline to automate code reviews and ensure code quality](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/349-build-a-ci-cd-pipeline-to-automate-code-reviews-and-ensure-code-quality) ## Related Articles - [Dev Digest 138 - Are you secure about this?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/486-dev-digest-138-are-you-secure-about-this) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing) - [Dev Digest 137 - AI'm not sure about this](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/485-dev-digest-137-ai-m-not-sure-about-this)