Embedded Flight Software Engineer

Actalent; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an experienced embedded software engineer to design, implement, and validate flight software for space-based payloads. The role emphasizes C++ development in RTOS environments (VxWorks), with integration to sensors and payload hardware.

You will contribute to simulations, testing, and documentation in a fully digital development setting. Applicants should have a strong background in embedded C, flight-critical software, and proven ability to deliver robust software for

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in embedded systems and real-time software.
• Experience with flight-qualified or flight-critical software is required.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and test low-level software for hardware-constrained environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test embedded flight software in C++ for space-based payloads.
• Execute digital simulations to validate software performance in representative environments.
• Ensure software meets flight qualification standards and regulatory requirements.
• Debug and resolve complex RTOS issues (VxWorks) in real-time.
• Collaborate with systems/hardware teams to integrate software with payloads.
• Develop and maintain validation plans and test procedures for flight software.
• Document design decisions and validation results.
• Participate in design/code reviews and formal assessments.

Skills

C++ (embedded)

RTOS (VxWorks)

Embedded C

Flight software

Systems integration

Digital simulations

Debugging & verification

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Job description

This position focuses on the design, development, and validation of embedded flight software for a deployed payload system that uses advanced sensors in a novel space application. You will work in a fully digital development environment and play a key role in qualifying and validating software for flight operations. The role requires deep expertise in embedded systems, real-time operating systems, and C++ development for mission-critical, flight-qualified software.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test embedded flight software in C++ for space-based sensor payload systems.
• Implement embedded software that meets functional, performance, and reliability requirements for flight operations.
• Execute digital simulations to validate software performance, behavior, and functionality in representative environments.
• Ensure embedded software meets flight qualification standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Debug and resolve complex software issues in real-time operating system (RTOS) environments, including VxWorks.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineering and hardware teams to integrate software with payload and sensor systems.
• Analyze system-level constraints such as timing, memory, processing capacity, and safety requirements, and architect solutions that operate effectively within these limits.
• Apply a systematic, fact-based problem-solving methodology to isolate root causes and implement robust fixes.
• Develop, document, and execute software test procedures and validation plans for flight software.
• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation of software design, implementation decisions, test procedures, and validation results.
• Participate in technical design reviews, code reviews, and formal assessments to ensure software quality and compliance.
• Generate and evaluate multiple technical solution options when addressing complex embedded software challenges.
• Demonstrate technical resilience by persisting through difficult issues and driving them to successful resolution.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in embedded software development.
• Strong proficiency in C++ for embedded systems development.
• Hands-on experience with embedded C and embedded software architectures.
• Proven expertise with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), including VxWorks.
• Demonstrated experience developing flight software rather than ground support software.
• Prior experience with flight-qualified or flight-critical software development.
• Experience executing digital simulations for software validation and verification.
• Strong embedded background with the ability to design, implement, and test low-level software for hardware-constrained environments.
• Demonstrated ability to write embedded code that performs to specification and can be effectively tested and validated in simulated environments.
• Systematic problem-solving methodology, including structured approaches to isolating root causes of technical issues.
• Fact-based analysis skills, with the ability to gather, interpret, and leverage technical data and empirical evidence for debugging and troubleshooting.
• Ability to generate multiple viable technical solutions within engineering and system constraints.
• Understanding of system-level constraints such as timing, memory, processing limitations, and safety requirements, and the ability to design within those boundaries.
• Technical resilience, with a track record of persisting through complex embedded software problems and driving them to resolution.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to systematically diagnose issues, evaluate constraints, and develop viable solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with missile or other highly mission-critical systems is beneficial.
• Familiarity with classified or sensitive projects and environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including systems and hardware engineers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting designs, test procedures, and validation results.
• Comfort working within a fully digital development and simulation environment.