Senior Space On-Board Software Engineer

Airbus Defence and Space; Getafe; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Employee stock options

Retirement plan

Study grants

On-site facilities

Job summary

Airbus Defence and Space SAU in Getafe (Madrid) seeks a Senior Space On-Board Software Engineer to join the Space Software Engineering Team. The role focuses on architecture, development, and integration of software for state-of-the-art satellite missions, including LSTM and Copernicus-related work.

Applicants should have 5+ years in space software, strong English and Spanish skills, and hands-on experience with C, Java, Python, or TypeScript/Node.js, plus DOORS, Eclipse, and Jenkins.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Software Engineer in the space domain.
• Advanced English (B2/C1) and Spanish (C2/Native) proficiency, both written and spoken.
• Strong knowledge of SW ECSS standards, requirements management, spacecraft unit behavior, and programming in C plus Java, Python, or TypeScript/Node.js.
• Experience with DOORS, Eclipse, Jenkins, and space data interfaces (RangeDB).

Responsibilities

• Lead SW Architecture & Direct Customer Interface as software architect.
• Develop & Integrate SW Functions within Astrobus NEO infrastructure.
• Ensure documentation and requirements traceability; generate technical documents.
• Execute end-to-end SW engineering cycle: design, code, tests, interfaces.
• Validate & deliver SW modules for final system integration; support FDIR activities.

Skills

Space software engineering

Software architecture

Requirements management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related

Tools

DOORS

Eclipse

Jenkins

RangeDB

C, Java, Python, TypeScript/Node.js

Job description

Job Description

An opportunity for a Senior Space On-Board Software Engineer has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space, Getafe (Madrid). The selected candidate will join the Space Software Engineering Team within Airbus Defence and Space. The team is multidisciplinary, highly technical, and responsible for developing software solutions for state-of-the-art satellite missions. In the short term, you will contribute to the most advanced satellite developed in Spain—where Airbus Madrid is developing both the platform and the radar instrument—and participate in the latest software releases for the LSTM mission, the first Copernicus satellite built in Madrid.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead SW Architecture & Direct Customer Interface: Serve as direct report and technical contact for the program and customer as software architect.
• Develop & Integrate SW Functions: Design and develop SW unit management program-specific functions within the Astrobus NEO infrastructure.
• Ensure Documentation & Requirements Traceability: Generate software technical and management documentation on time, ensuring full traceability against requirements.
• Execute End-to-End SW Engineering Cycle: Write technical specifications, perform detailed design, code, run unit/integration tests, and define/formalize interfaces for parallel module development.
• Validate & Deliver SW Modules: Write test plans, execute validation tests against specifications, and deliver software modules for final system integration.
• Support System Integrity & FDIR: Provide specialized support for Failure Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) related to all SW developed units.

SKILLS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Software Engineer in the space domain.
• Soft skills: Effective communication skills to translate complex technical concepts to executives and clients, strong problem-solving and analytical mindset for high-stakes decisions, and high adaptability with a continuous learning mindset.
• Languages: Advanced level in English (minimum B2/C1) and Spanish (C2/Native), both written and spoken.
• Technical knowledge: Deep knowledge of SW ECSS standards, requirements management, spacecraft unit behavior, C programming plus Java, Python, or TypeScript/Node.js, and proficiency with DOORS, Eclipse, Jenkins, and space data management interfaces (ideally RangeDB).
• Valuable / Nice to have: Prior experience in European Space Agency (ESA) projects and a Master’s or Ph.D. in Software Architecture, Distributed Systems, or AI will be highly valued.

WHICH BENEFITS WILL YOU HAVE AS AIRBUS EMPLOYEE?

• Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.
• Attractive salary.
• Hybrid model of working when possible, promoting the work-life balance.
• Collective transport service in some sites.
• Benefits such as health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.
• On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.
• Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
• Special rates in products & benefits.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company & Position Details

• Company: Airbus Defence and Space SAU
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Experience Level: Professional
• Job Family: Software Engineering

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.