Flight Software Engineer for Spacecraft & Laser Payload

Approach Venture LLC; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No-cost medical, dental, and vision

Early-stage equity

Relocation support

Job summary

Approach Venture LLC in San Francisco, CA is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to build software that operates a spacecraft and its laser payload. You will lead the flight software architecture from day one, likely using F Prime or NASA cFS, collaborating daily with GNC and electrical engineers.

Strong ownership and cross-discipline collaboration are essential. Qualifications include a Bachelor's in a related field and 5+ years in flight or embedded software, with proficiency in

Qualifications

• 5+ years of flight or embedded software experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/EE/Aerospace or related field.
• Ownership of flight software on a program that reached flight testing or orbit.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, or Rust.
• Experience with an RTOS or embedded Linux.
• Hands‑on experience with SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, RS-422, and Ethernet interfaces.
• Comfort debugging across software and hardware on a small team with large ownership.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident, willing to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect and build flight software for the spacecraft and laser payload, likely on F Prime or NASA cFS.
• Implement vehicle modes, mission sequencing, onboard scheduling, and command and telemetry handling.
• Integrate attitude control, GNC, and targeting algorithms into a deterministic real-time framework.
• Write device drivers for star trackers, IMUs, reaction wheels, radios, power systems, and payload electronics.
• Build laser payload control software, including safety interlocks and fault protection.
• Design fault detection, isolation, and recovery logic, safe modes, and watchdogs.
• Own the command and telemetry database and its interfaces with ground software.
• Build and maintain software-in-the-loop, flatsat, and hardware-in-the-loop test environments.
• Support integration, environmental testing, launch, and on-orbit operations, including anomaly resolution.
• Partner with GNC and electrical engineers on interfaces, timing, and hardware bring-up.
• Set coding standards, run code reviews, and document architecture and interfaces.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Rust

RTOS

Embedded Linux

SPI/I2C/UART/CAN/RS-422/Ethernet

Debugging across software/hardware

Security clearance willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

F Prime

NASA cFS

Job description

Approach Venture LLC in San Francisco, CA is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to build software that operates a spacecraft and its laser payload. You will lead the flight software architecture from day one, likely using F Prime or NASA cFS, collaborating daily with GNC and electrical engineers.

Strong ownership and cross-discipline collaboration are essential. Qualifications include a Bachelor's in a related field and 5+ years in flight or embedded software, with proficiency in