Flight Software Architect - UK or CH

ClearSpace; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ClearSpace is seeking a Flight Software Architect to define, maintain and evolve the FSW architecture and technical roadmap for multiple missions, based in the UK or Switzerland. You will act as Software Subsystem Lead on projects, owning software design and specifications while supporting delivery commitments and supplier coordination.

You will mentor the FSW team, lead architecture reviews and drive standards adoption across projects, balancing hands-on development with system-level oversight

Qualifications

• 10+ years of embedded software development and verification/validation in standard‑driven industries
• Strong software architecture and design skills
• Ability to work hands-on when needed
• MSc Degree in Software, Electronics, Aerospace, Physics or similar
• Team player with good communication
• Innovative and rigorous
• Leadership and mentoring experience

Responsibilities

• Support architecture trade-offs at system level
• Define and evolve FSW architecture and roadmap
• Lead project software team and coordinate with suppliers
• Deliver FSW on time, within budget, with required quality
• Mentor and train FSW team
• Provide technical support to system/subsystem teams and management

Skills

Embedded software

Software architecture

Design reviews

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Hands-on development

Education

MSc in Software, Electronics, Aerospace, Physics or similar

Tools

C/C++

RTOS

Unit testing

CI

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 or Switzerland 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

• 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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