Flight Software Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid medical, dental, vision

Unlimited PTO

Relocation paid

Job summary

Spacecraft Flight Software Engineer role in Los Angeles with a small satellite company seeking an owner for the full flight software stack. You will build and maintain software, develop component drivers, integrate with hardware-in-the-loop environments, and debug across embedded platforms.

Requires 5+ years experience, C/C++/Rust plus Python, Linux, Git, US citizenship with TS clearance or eligibility, onsite in LA. Nice-to-have: F Prime, cFS or MAX, ground data systems.

Qualifications

• 5+ years relevant experience (excluding internships).
• Led development of flight software flown on satellites and developed component drivers.
• Proficient in C, C++, Rust and Python for embedded/real‑time systems; Linux and Git.
• Strong CS fundamentals.
• US citizenship and Top Secret clearance or eligibility.
• Onsite in Los Angeles.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain flight software for spacecraft, including control algorithms, comms interfaces and fault management.
• Develop drivers to interface with components across the vehicle.
• Integrate with hardware in the loop test environments.
• Debug across embedded platforms and ground tools.
• Work with systems, hardware and AI&T on requirements and rapid iteration.

Skills

C

C++

Rust

Python

Embedded

Real-time

Linux

Git

CS fundamentals

Education

PhD (helpful)

Tools

F Prime

cFS

MAX

Ground data systems

Job description

Spacecraft Flight Software Engineer | Los Angeles

Most satellites take two years to design. This team does it in nine months, and one of theirs is already in orbit.

We are hiring for a small satellite company in Los Angeles. Five years old, sixteen people, building custom spacecraft with hardware in the loop validation on every design package. Full ownership of the flight software, not one corner of it.

You will:

• Build and maintain flight software for spacecraft, including control algorithms, comms interfaces and fault management
• Develop drivers to interface with components across the vehicle
• Integrate with hardware in the loop test environments
• Debug across embedded platforms and ground tools
• Work with systems, hardware and AI&T on requirements and rapid iteration

You will need:

• 5+ years relevant experience, excluding internships
• Led development of flight software flown on satellites, and developed component drivers
• C, C++ or Rust plus Python, embedded or real time, Linux and Git
• Strong CS fundamentals
• US citizenship and a Top Secret clearance or eligibility for one
• Onsite in Los Angeles

Helpful: F Prime, cFS or MAX, ground data systems, PhD.

Company paid medical, dental and vision for the employee, unlimited PTO, relocation paid.