Flight Software Engineer

Impulsespace; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to design, develop, and integrate software powering our space vehicles. You will collaborate with avionics, GNC, propulsion, and cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability flight software capable of operating in harsh space environments.

You will work on real-time, deterministic flight software, ensure safety and reliability through reviews, and support mission operations from ground tests to on-orbit activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/EE or related field.
• 2+ years writing C++ for embedded systems (robot, vehicle, spacecraft).
• Understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and networking.
• Experience with RTOS or Embedded Linux.
• Experience using version control and software best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and verify software for GNC algorithms and telemetry handling.
• Implement features for real-time flight software framework with deterministic performance.
• Develop detection/mitigation for sensor faults or radiation-induced issues.
• Lead and participate in code reviews ensuring safety and reliability standards.
• Support mission operations and troubleshoot during ground tests and on-orbit operations.

Skills

C++

Embedded systems

RTOS

Version control

Code reviews

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Electrical Engineering

Tools

NASA cFS

ROS2

Job description

Flight Software Engineer

Department: Software

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Boulder County

Compensation: $130,000 - $280,000 / year

Description

As a Flight Software Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for the design, development, and integration of the software that powers our Space Vehicles. You will work closely with avionics engineers, GNC engineers, propulsion engineers, and other cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability, high-performance software for in-space transportation.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, implementation, integration, and verification of software for:
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms
  • Command and telemetry handling
  • Mission sequencing, autonomy, and fault management
  • Closed-loop control of propulsion, attitude control, and other time-critical systems
• Implement features for Impulse’s real-time flight software framework to meet deterministic performance requirements in space environments.
• Develop detection and mitigation algorithms for anomalies such as sensor failures, actuator malfunctions, or radiation-induced faults.
• Direct and participate in code reviews, ensuring compliance with software safety, reliability, and maintainability standards.
• Support mission operations and troubleshoot real-time issues during ground integration, environmental testing, and on-orbit operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related degrees
• 2+ years writing C++ code for an embedded system or vehicle of some kind (robot, car, drone, spacecraft, etc)
• Demonstrated understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and computer networking
• Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or with Embedded Linux
• Experience using version control, test cases, and other software best practices

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Proven track record delivering flight software for spacecraft— including launch vehicles, OTVs, upper stages, or other in-space propulsion systems.
• Familiarity with NASA cFS, ROS2, or custom middleware for space applications.
• 4+ years of demonstrated experience in designing software for deterministic timing and hard real-time constraints.
• Participation in successful integration, testing, launch, and mission operations of a space vehicle.

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity.

In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for:

• long-term incentives in the form of stock options
• medical, vision & dental coverage
• access to a 401(k) retirement plan

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.