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# Lead Flight Software Engineer

- **Company:** The Space Inc.
- **Location:** El Segundo, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $220,000.0 - $275,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Systems Engineering, C++ (Programming Language), Code Review, Communications Protocols, Computer Engineering, Linux, Programming Tools, Linux on Embedded Systems, Network Interface Controllers, Fault Tolerance, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Python (Programming Language), Real-Time Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Systems Integration, Scripting, Real Time Systems, Concurrency, Reliability of Systems, Information Technology, Bare Metal
- **Published:** October 21, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.thejobnetwork.com/job/bdd657c5-160b-4cf1-8010-d05e25a30e7a/lead-flight-software-engineer

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
 * 5 to 10 years of experience developing embedded or real-time software for space, aerospace, robotics, or other mission-critical systems.
 * Experience leading software development across the full system lifecycle, from requirements and architecture through integration, qualification, and operations.
 * Strong proficiency in C/C++, with experience using Python or similar scripting languages for automation and testing.
 * Experience with RTOS, bare-metal programming, or Linux-based embedded systems.
 * Strong understanding of deterministic timing, concurrency, fault tolerance, software reliability, and resource management in constrained environments.
 * Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

What We'd Love:

 * Experience with flight software frameworks such as NASA cFS, F´, or custom architectures.
 * Familiarity with model-based systems engineering and interface control documentation.
 * Knowledge of spacecraft communication protocols such as CCSDS, SpaceWire, or MIL-STD-1553.

## Description

The Lead Flight Software Engineer will serve as the technical leader for the development, integration, and validation of mission-critical software for Space Kinetic's electromechanical spacecraft systems. You will own low-level and high-level software from initial architecture and requirements through qualification, flight operations, and on-orbit maintenance. This role requires deep experience with embedded real-time systems, software reliability, and spacecraft operations, along with the ability to lead a team in a fast-paced prototyping environment with an aggressive path to flight., * Lead flight software architecture and development for spacecraft control, autonomy, communications, telemetry, command, GNC interfaces, fault management, and safety systems.

 * Define software requirements, interfaces, development roadmaps, and verification strategies in partnership with systems, electrical, GNC, test, and mission engineering teams.
 * Develop reliable, deterministic, and fault-tolerant software using C/C++ or Rust in RTOS, bare-metal, or embedded Linux environments.
 * Lead software and code reviews, integration, testing, and qualification activities in alignment with applicable spaceflight and mission-assurance standards.
 * Support simulation, spacecraft-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and ground-software integration environments.
 * Mentor software engineers, establish coding and design standards, and improve development tools, processes, and best practices.
 * Support mission-readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, flight operations, and on-orbit software updates.