(Fastwater Staffing) Flight Software Engineer, all levels - Torrance, CA | Full time/On-site

As a Flight Software Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, developing, and testing flight software that powers these advanced systems. You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-performance, real-time embedded software that operates reliably under extreme conditions. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who thrives on solving hard problems, building robust systems from the ground up, and moving fast without compromising quality. Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and test real-time embedded flight software for missile systems
• Collaborate with GNC engineers, systems engineers, and hardware teams to ensure seamless integration
• Implement and maintain software for high-reliability, safety-critical environments
• Support simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and flight testing to validate performance
• Participate in root cause analysis and debugging across software and system interfaces
• Follow rigorous software lifecycle practices, including configuration management and verification
• Contribute to defining and improving development processes, tools, and standards
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and best practices relevant to flight software and real-time systems

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Experience: Open to candidates across all experience levels, from early-career engineers to senior technical contributors.
• Professional experience, internships, research, open-source contributions, or other hands-on technical work will be considered.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Familiarity with hardware/software integration and real-time system constraints
• Experience working with GNC systems or similar control-intensive applications
• Strong understanding of testing practices including simulation and HIL environments
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment

• Active or eligible for a Top-Secret security clearance Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience developing flight software for missile, launch vehicle, or spacecraft systems
• Exposure to FPGA-based systems and embedded software optimization techniques
• Knowledge of secure software development and cybersecurity best practices
• Familiarity with agile or iterative development methodologies
• Hands-on experience with software verification, validation, and integration in defense environments