Flight Software Architect (UK)

Clearspace; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ClearSpace is seeking a Flight Software Architect for its UK office to define and evolve the FSW architecture and roadmap across current and future missions. You will act as Software Subsystem Lead, owning software design and system specification while supporting delivery commitments and project objectives.

The role requires strong leadership, extensive embedded software experience, and hands-on capability for critical components.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in embedded software development and verification/validation.
• Strong software architecture with requirements-driven design and reviews.
• Ability to work hands-on when needed on core components.
• MSc in Software, Electronics, Aerospace or similar.
• Teamwork and communication skills; innovative and rigorous.

Responsibilities

• Define, maintain and evolve FSW architecture and roadmap.
• Lead software subsystem on projects; ensure delivery within scope/cost/quality.
• Mentor and train the FSW team; promote technical excellence.
• Interface with system/subsystem teams and customers.
• Coordinate with external suppliers and perform design reviews.

Skills

Embedded software development

Software architecture

Requirements-driven development

Mentoring / leadership

Hands-on development

Team leadership

Communication skills

Cost/schedule awareness

Education

MSc in Software/Electronics/Aerospace

BSc in related field

Tools

ECSS

DO-178

C/C++

RTOS

Python

Job description

At ClearSpace, we believe in reusability, in affordability driving disruption, and that no progress is real unless it is sustainable.

Our company was founded in 2018 out of the realization that in-orbit servicing and space debris removal are vital services for the future of space exploration and operations. Today ClearSpace has assembled an expert engineering team and is leading the way toward sustainable space operations. From a garage in Switzerland, we now operate across UK and Europe, and are working with world-leading institutions and companies to bring our dream of a sustainable space ecosystem to life.

We are looking for a Flight Software Architect to join our UK office who will work on both our current missions and future projects.

Role Purpose/Summary

The Flight Software Architect reports to the Flight Software & AIV team lead and is responsible for defining, maintaining, and evolving ClearSpace Flight Software (FSW) architecture and technical roadmap, and for ensuring consistent execution across projects.

At discipline level, you will support projects in the definition and implementation of the FSW roadmap (architecture baseline, key design decisions, reviews, standards, and reuse). At project level, you will act as Software Subsystem Lead on selected projects, owning software design and system specification and supporting delivery commitments (scope, cost, schedule, and quality).

Role Responsibilities

Orientation

• Architecture
• Support architecture trade-offs at system level
• Identify and push innovations into the FSW
• Define Product Policy to streamline SW development across projects
• Derive Software System Specification and Design
• Prepare and conduct architecture and design reviews
• Methods and tools
• Promote technical excellence, key player in the Continuous Improvement of the FSW team
• Define and disseminate good practices
• Process
• Define and adjust FSW development process according to the applicable standards

SW Project Management

• Bids
• Supports the proposal and estimate process
• Participate in Make/Buy/Partner strategy definition and implementation
• Build and maintain partnership with external suppliers
• Projects
• Responsible for delivering the FSW on time, within the budget, and with the right level of quality
• Lead the project software team
• Coordinate the activities within ClearSpace, and with external suppliers
• Control the cost and schedule, and report to the Project Manager
• Support the contractual follow-up of the external suppliers

Technical expertise

• Perform development and validation of some key SW components
• Mentor and train the FSW team
• Lead / perform problem resolution sessions
• Key point of contact within the company for Flight Software
• Provide technical support to the system / subsystem teams and to the management team
• Act as ClearSpace Customer interface for the FSW

Must have

• 10+ years of relevant experience in embedded software development and verification/validation, preferably in standard-driven industries (e.g., ECSS, DO-178, CENELEC EN 50128, ISO 26262)
• Strong software architecture and design skills, including requirements-driven development and design reviews
• Ability to work hands-on when needed (development and validation of key software components)
• MSc Degree in Software, Electronics, Aerospace, Physics or similar
• Team player attitude and good communication skills
• Innovative and rigorous
• Capacity to have both a helicopter view of the FSW matters and to dive into complex detailed technical topics
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Experience delivering software in a project context (planning, cost/schedule awareness, supplier coordination)

Nice to have

• Real-time embedded development (e.g., C/C++, RTOS, low-level interfaces)
• Verification tooling and automation (e.g., unit/integration testing, CI, scripting such as Python)
• Space software context (e.g., ECSS processes, AIV/AIT interfaces, on-board software constraints)

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