Embedded Flight Software Engineer Senior

York Space Systems; Greenwood Village (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

York Space Systems is seeking a Senior Embedded Flight Software Engineer to design, develop, test, and deliver mission-critical software for spacecraft systems. This role focuses on real-time and embedded Linux-based flight software, enabling reliable command, telemetry, networking, and autonomy across on-orbit vehicles.

The ideal candidate is hands-on across the full lifecycle—from architecture and development through integration, test, and on-orbit support—with HITL and flatsat environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in embedded software development.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++.
• Experience with embedded Linux systems (drivers, networking, system-level debugging).
• Experience with deterministic build systems such as Yocto or VxWorks.
• Familiarity with networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, routing concepts).
• Experience debugging hardware/software integration issues.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Must be clearance eligible and ability to maintain an active Secret Clearance or higher.
• Love space!

Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded flight software in C/C++ for spacecraft systems
• Design, develop, and maintain reliable embedded flight software for resource-constrained, safety-critical systems
• Develop and debug multithreaded software, including thread synchronization,interprocess communication, race-condition prevention, and deadlock avoidance
• Integrate software with hardware components (OBCs, radios, payloads) in HITL and flatsat environments
• Develop and execute test strategies (unit, integration, system, and mission-level testing)
• Support on-orbit operations, debugging, and anomaly resolution
• Translate Interface Control Documents (ICDs), system requirements, and hardware specifications into robust software interfaces and implementations
• Collaborate across platform, applications, mission ops, and hardware teams
• Experience with HITL, flatsat, or system-level test environments

Skills

C/C++

Embedded Linux

Networking

Multithreading

System debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Yocto

VxWorks

Job description

York Space Systems is seeking a Senior Embedded Flight Software Engineer to design, develop, test, and deliver mission-critical software for spacecraft systems. This role focuses on real-time and embedded Linux-based flight software, enabling reliable command, telemetry, networking, and autonomy across on-orbit vehicles.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with strong systems thinking who can operate across the full lifecycle— from architecture and development through integration, test, and on-orbit support.

Not all skills below are required, we encourage you to apply if you have an interest in learning!

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded flight software in C/C++ for spacecraft systems
• Design, develop, and maintain reliable embedded flight software for resource-constrained, safety-critical systems
• Develop and debug multithreaded software, including thread synchronization,interprocess communication, race-condition prevention, and deadlock avoidance
• Integrate software with hardware components (OBCs, radios, payloads) in HITL and flatsat environments
• Develop and execute test strategies (unit, integration, system, and mission-level testing)
• Support on-orbit operations, debugging, and anomaly resolution
• Translate Interface Control Documents (ICDs), system requirements, and hardware specifications into robust software interfaces and implementations
• Collaborate across platform, applications, mission ops, and hardware teams
• Experience with HITL, flatsat, or system-level test environments

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in embedded software development
• Strong proficiency in C/C++
• Experience with embedded Linux systems (drivers, networking, system-level debugging)
• Experience with deterministic build systems such as Yocto or VxWorks
• Familiarity with networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, routing concepts)
• Experience debugging hardware/software integration issues
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
  • Must be clearance eligible and ability to maintain an active Secret Clearance or higher
• Love space!

Preferred for the Role

• Master’s Degree in computer science or engineering related field
• 8+ years of experience working with software, network infrastructure, and data transport protocols in space
• Expierence with Real-Time Operating Systems
• Experience with spacecraft, aerospace, or safety-critical systems
• Knowledge of real-time systems and deterministic software design
• Familiarity with CCSDS, DTN, or space communication protocols
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles (secure boot, signing, key management)
• Experience supporting on-orbit operations or live systems
• Active Secret Clearance