Satellite Flight Software Lead

Internetwork Expert; Botany; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering space technology company in Northern Ireland seeks a Satellite Flight Software Lead to oversee the development of mission-critical software systems. The successful candidate will have over 7 years of experience, including extensive work with ROS2 and in-flight software, to ensure robust integration across various systems. This role offers competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to shape technology that protects our future in space.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Equity options

Annual leave plus sick days

Public holidays

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with mission-critical software systems.
• Strong experience in ROS2 or equivalent middleware frameworks.
• Proven leadership and coaching abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and testing of Flight Software.
• Ensure integration of software with hardware and other systems.
• Deliver effective telemetry and command software.

Skills

Hands-on development

Collaboration

C++20

Real time operating systems

Embedded Linux

Adaptability

Fault Detection

Tools

ROS2

Simulation frameworks

Job description

About Us

Space Machines Company (SMC) is transforming the future of space operations with a bold mission: to deliver Roadside Assistance in Space.

As orbit becomes more congested and contested, we act as the "first responders" protecting the satellites that power life on Earth—from communications to navigation. Partnering with both commercial operators and government agencies, we're strengthening space resilience and enabling the growth of a sustainable space economy.

We're building this critical capability through hyperscale spacecraft manufacturing—delivering Optimus Viper spacecraft at mass‑production economics with rapid‑response capability.

The future of space is one where satellites are monitored, maintained, and protected in orbit. At SMC, we're making that future real.

Why Join Us

We're a start‑up — things move fast, resources are lean, and we're building as we go.

What we offer is opportunity: to learn at speed, grow with the company, and leave your fingerprints on something that's never been done before. At Space Machines Company, engineers, innovators, and problem‑solvers join forces to push the limits of what's possible.

If you want to build technology designed to protect and power humanity's future in space — and see your work make a visible impact — this is where you'll do it.

How We Work

We are builders first.

We approach every challenge through a cycle of design, build, test, and refine — making ideas real, learning from results, and improving with each iteration.

We challenge assumptions to make sure we're solving the right problems, and we strengthen our solutions through collaboration and feedback.

We use process where it adds value and set it aside where it slows us down. There are a lot of firsts here, and we meet them with curiosity and courage.

We win as one team.

As our Satellite Flight Software Lead, you will build up and lead the team responsible for developing satellite Flight Software (FSW). You’ll ensure robust, reliable, and efficient software that enables command, control, and autonomy in orbit.

You’ll spend your time leading flight software development, validating performance through rigorous testing, and ensuring seamless integration across avionics, payload, GNC, and EPS — with a strong emphasis on modular architectures and middleware frameworks such as ROS2.

In this role, you own outcomes from end to end, including:

Flight Software Architecture – Own the spacecraft’s software stack, leveraging ROS2 to enable modular, reusable, and scalable integration across subsystems.

Flight Software Development – Lead the development and testing of the Flight Software

Integration & Validation – Ensure end-to-end integration of software with hardware, avionics, GNC, and payloads, validated through simulation, SIL/HIL, and lab testing — including validation of ROS2-based frameworks.

Mission Operations Support – Deliver software that enables effective telemetry, command, data handling, and in-orbit updates/patches.

Simulation – Maintain the flatsat simulation infrastructure for development and testing.

Fault Detection, Isolation and Response (FDIR) – Lead development of an onboard autonomous system of Fault Detection, Isolation and Response to recover from spacecraft anomalies.

Leadership & Mentorship – Lead and mentor engineers, conduct reviews, and ensure flight software requirements are represented in cross-discipline planning and mission decisions.

About You

You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:

A builder's mindset — turning ideas and theory into working systems through hands‑on development, simulation, and testing.

An iterative approach — designing, building, testing, learning, and improving with each cycle. Comfortable with weekly integration cadence and rapid validation of new algorithms.

Collaboration and curiosity — working across disciplines and exploring beyond your own expertise. Exploring beyond your own expertise to solve novel problems in novel ways.

Adaptability and ownership – thriving in a fast‑scaling, evolving environment where requirements emerge from building. Driving outcomes end to end without waiting for perfect specifications.

Proven experience:

• 7+ years of experience with a strong track record of delivering mission‑critical software systems from concept through integration, qualification, and deployment in high‑reliability environments
• ROS2 or equivalent middleware frameworks to build modular, scalable software architectures.
• C++20 development
• Real time operating systems
• Embedded Linux
• Experience managing, leading and coaching teams

Bonus experience:

• Software development for satellite/space applications, especially in flight software or command and data handling
• Space, aerospace, defence, or robotics leadership experience
• Startup experience with fast‑paced development cycles and resource constraints

What You Actually Get

You won't get rich quickly. But you'll get:

Competitive salary – Fair pay for hard work. Commensurate with experience and the impact you'll have.

Meaningful equity (ESOP) – Real ownership stake. Stock options that matter because you're joining early enough for them to matter. If we win, you win.

Actual leave – Annual leave plus personal/sick days. Because even warriors need to recover.

Public holidays – All of them.

And freedom. Real freedom to build, decide, and move without waiting for permission. That's not a benefit you'll find in a package description, but it's worth more than most perks on this list.