Lead Flight Software Engineer

Alt; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation support

Meals provided

Company housing access

Job summary

Alt, a Germany-based rocketry startup, is seeking a Lead Flight Software Engineer to own the architecture, development, verification, and integration of software across the vehicle and ground segments.

You will lead the flight-software platform, work hands-on across the stack, and collaborate with avionics, propulsion, and IT teams to ensure robust, deterministic operation during live hardware campaigns.

Qualifications

• Experience in embedded, flight, or real-time software for safety-critical systems.
• Strong C/C++ proficiency for resource-constrained environments.
• Experience with RTOS and embedded Linux.
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces and network protocols.
• Degree in CS, aerospace, EE, robotics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture of flight-software across embedded, real-time, and ground segments.
• Lead deterministic software for propulsion, avionics, sensors, and related hardware.
• Define software requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies.
• Develop and maintain ground software, telemetry processing, and data distribution.
• Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, systems, and AIT teams to test on hardware.
• Provide technical leadership through reviews and mentoring.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS

Embedded software

Telemetry

Hardware interfaces

Education

Bachelor's or higher in CS/EE/Robotics

Tools

Embedded Linux

Python

Job description

This is a unique opportunity to lead the development of the software that makes our rockets fly. We are looking for a highly capable Lead Flight Software Engineer to own the architecture, development, verification, and integration of software across the vehicle and ground segment.

From low-level embedded software controlling propulsion systems and flight hardware to flight-computer routines, telemetry, telecommand, and ground-support infrastructure, your work will be critical to launch success. You will provide technical leadership while remaining hands‑on across the software stack and supporting real hardware campaigns.

About us

We’re a Germany-based rocketry startup currently in stealth mode, scaling up rapidly to meet the demand for high‑performance, reliable, and scalable solid propulsion technologies for space and defense applications.

We are already launching suborbital and ballistic rockets on a regular basis, generating significant revenue and applying our knowledge toward the development of an orbital rocket.

We are working hard to build something truly spectacular.

To thrive here you will need to be comfortable working at pace, with the autonomy to make decisions and execute on them quickly. If you’re excited by hard technical challenges and want a role where you will make a real difference each day to the future of the company, we may be the place for you.

At our company, job titles and career progression are earned, not determined by years of experience alone. They reflect the responsibility you take on and the dedication you bring to each project. If you’re ready to rise to the challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

• Own the technical direction and architecture of the flight-software platform across embedded, real-time, and ground-segment systems.
• Lead the development of deterministic software for propulsion systems, flight computers, avionics, sensors, and other vehicle hardware.
• Define software requirements, interfaces, design documentation, development standards, and verification strategies.
• Develop and maintain ground software, embedded test tools, telemetry and telecommand processing, and data-distribution systems.
• Work closely with avionics, propulsion, systems, and AIT teams to integrate, test, debug, and validate software on real hardware.
• Provide technical leadership through design reviews, code reviews, mentoring, and software support during vehicle and test campaigns.

What we are looking for

• Significant professional experience developing embedded, flight, or real-time software for aerospace, defence, robotics, automotive, or another safety-critical hardware environment.
• High proficiency in C or C++ for resource-constrained and real-time systems.
• Direct experience with real-time operating systems, embedded Linux, or comparable low-level software environments.
• Strong understanding of hardware interfaces, network programming, TCP/IP, UDP, and data serialisation.
• A disciplined approach to deterministic execution, fault handling, testing, debugging, and software verification.
• A degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, or a related discipline; equivalent practical experience may also be relevant.

Desirable experience

• Flight software for launch vehicles, spacecraft, aircraft, missiles, or other complex aerospace systems.
• Hardware abstraction layers, board-support packages, low-level drivers, avionics interfaces, or flight-computer development.
• Telemetry and telecommand systems, packet processing, data buses, ground stations, or mission‑control software.
• Hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, automated testing, or formal verification and validation.
• Python or similar languages for test automation, tooling, data analysis, and ground-support software.
• Supporting live hardware campaigns, launch operations, static-fire tests, or vehicle integration activities.

Benefits and important information:

• We offer top-decile compensation packages, bonuses and meaningful equity, to attract exceptional aerospace talent.
• Every employee is awarded stock options in the company, you will directly benefit from your own hard work and success.
• Comprehensive relocation support including flights, shipping and visas.
• Lunch, dinner and drinks provided everyday
• Free access to shared company housing

Please note, we are a fast paced, hyper-scaling startup. You will need to be comfortable working extended hours with high levels of autonomy, ownership, and flexibility, with contracts structured around a 48-hour working week.

We are committed to building an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, has equal access to opportunity, and can thrive. We welcome different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences—and believe our differences make us stronger.