Software Engineer

NewOrbit Space; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A cutting-edge space technology firm in Reading seeks a Flight Software Engineer to develop and implement the satellite's flight software stack. This position offers a competitive salary, equity stakes, and an opportunity to be part of groundbreaking advancements in satellite operations. Responsibilities include overseeing software design, ensuring system stability, and collaborating across various teams on innovative space technology.

Benefits

Company ownership stakes

Private health insurance

Annual healthcare check-ups

Qualifications

• Experience in production embedded or real-time systems with C/C++ or Rust.
• Understanding of on-board computer architecture and high-speed buses.
• Experience with unit, integration & HIL tests and CI/CD.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement the flight-software stack from drivers to updates.
• Own the on-board flight-software stack by designing and testing.
• Implement ADCS control algorithms and ensure spacecraft stability.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Embedded systems

Real-time operating systems

Python automation

Telemetry analysis

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Job description

Overview

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight.

We are currently building satellites that can breathe air and operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. Thanks to our proprietary propulsion system we can compensate for the atmospheric drag at ultra low altitudes using the air as propellant.

Please note that as we prepare for our maiden satellite mission, we are in a critical growth phase. Our roles will often require extended hours and are not typical 9-to-6 positions.

Your role

You’ll architect and implement the flight-software stack—from low-level drivers to ADCS control loops—and push code from bench tests to on-orbit updates. You’ll ensure each satellite runs autonomously and safely, turning in-orbit data into actionable ground insights so every subsystem meets its mission marks. You\'ll have a huge influence on the direction of the software and system development of our satellite.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the on-board flight-software stack – design, code and test real-time Rust/C/C++ on RTOS or Embedded Linux.
• Ship code from review to orbit – push through CI/CD, support launch, and deliver over-the-air updates during operations.
• Implement and tune our ADCS control algorithms – write and validate attitude-determination & control loops that keep the spacecraft stable while in ULEO.
• Build prototypes, simulations and analyse telemetry to prove out key design concepts and quantify system constraints.
• Build autonomous FDIR logic – detect and recover from SEUs, sensor drop-outs and thermal excursions without ground intervention.
• Design the command & telemetry pipeline – transform CCSDS frames in-orbit into MQTT topics and cloud dashboards on the ground.
• Develop internal automation & data‑analysis tooling in Python for build, CI/CD, and anomaly triage.
• Trade across disciplines – work with AOCS, propulsion, avionics and mission-design teams to balance compute, power, thermal and link budgets.

Fundamental Requirements

• Experience building production embedded or real-time systems in C/C++ or Rust on RTOS or Embedded Linux.
• Solid grasp of on-board computer architecture, BSPs, watchdogs and high-speed buses (CAN-FD, SpaceWire, SPI, LVDS).
• Experience taking code through unit, integration & HIL tests and shipping via CI/CD (exposure to MISRA-C or ECSS a plus).
• Strong software‑design fundamentals, including data structures, concurrency and debugging.
• Master version‑control, static analysis, containerised build tooling and automated deployment.

Nice-to-haves

• Are comfortable with model‑based design (MATLAB/Simulink) and automated verification.
• Experience with spacecraft frameworks.
• Digital‑twin, simulator or hardware‑in‑the‑loop design experience.
• Orbit‑propagation or high‑fidelity atmospheric modelling experience.
• Uplink/downlink know‑how.
• Familiarity with rad‑hard electronics.

Why NewOrbit Space?

• Pioneering Space Technology – You\'ll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary air-breathing ion propulsion system will redefine satellite operations in ultra-low Earth orbits.
• Unmatched Ownership and Impact –You\'ll experience a level of ownership that\'s rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
• Equity and Competitive Salary – You\'ll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you\'re a part of our collective success.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc.