Flight Software Engineer

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

Job summary

Impulse Space in Boulder County is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to design, develop, and integrate software powering our space vehicles. You will collaborate with avionics, GNC, and propulsion engineers to deliver high-reliability, high-performance software for in-space transportation.

Responsibilities include designing and validating software for GNC algorithms, command/telemetry handling, mission sequencing, and fault management, plus addressing anomalies and ensuring deterministic timing

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and verify flight software for Impulse Space vehicles.
• Collaborate with avionics, GNC, propulsion, and cross-disciplinary teams.
• Implement real-time, deterministic software for space environments.
• Direct and participate in code reviews to ensure safety, reliability, and maintainability.
• Support mission operations and troubleshoot real-time issues during tests and on-orbit operations.
• Contribute to software features for guidance, navigation, and control, and telemetry handling.

Skills

C++ for embedded systems

RTOS / Embedded Linux

Version control & testing

Computer architecture & OS

Networking basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE or related

Job description

Department: Software

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, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as 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.