Flight Software Engineer III

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 145,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Wellbeing

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, invites applications for a Flight Software Engineer III to design, implement, and test embedded flight software for small satellites and spacecraft payloads. You will work within the Flight Software Architecture and Infrastructure Group on development, integration, and verification activities across software life cycles.

The role requires strong C/C++ and Python skills, experience with real‑time operating systems, and a collaborative,

Qualifications

• Developing, modifying, debugging, releasing and maintaining real‑time embedded software systems for mission‑critical aerospace applications.
• Developing application programs for functional domains (CDH, GNC, System Fault Protection) for embedded flight processors.
• Experience with distributed computing and inter‑process communication mechanisms.
• Familiarity with PCI/PCIe, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN bus, and SpaceWire interfaces.
• Demonstrate knowledge of UDP/TCP network protocols.
• Experience with real‑time or embedded operating systems (e.g., FreeRTOS, RTEMS, Zephyr, WindRiver VxWorks).
• Experience with static code analysis toolsets.
• Knowledge of C++, C, Python, Linux and their application in flight software.

Responsibilities

• Perform software requirements definition, design, coding, peer review and documentation for embedded flight software.
• Conduct thorough unit testing and integration testing using simulations and avionics hardware.
• Support software level peer reviews and formal testing of peer developed capabilities.
• Work under guidance of a Cognizant Engineer to understand required software capabilities.
• Determine the software approach and take responsibility for final coded capability.

Skills

Real-time embedded software

C/C++

Python

Linux

UDP/TCP networking

Communication protocols

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Master’s degree in related discipline

PhD in related discipline

Tools

FreeRTOS

RTEMS

Zephyr

WindRiver VxWorks

Job description

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities:

If you are passionate about spacecraft design, we invite you to join the Flight Software & Systems Engineering Section.

• We provide flight software and systems engineering for the design and implementation of spacecraft for the laboratory's key flight projects.
• We provide leadership and specialized expertise in developing flight software and systems engineering for spacecraft, small satellites, and instrument payloads.
• As a Flight Software Engineer III, you will be working for JPL’s Flight Software and Systems Engineering Section.
• As a key member of the Flight Software Architecture and Infrastructure Group, you will perform software engineering activities associated with the delivery of embedded flight software products for small scale projects developing CubeSats, small satellites and spacecraft payloads where the typical flight software team sizes are between one and five people.
• A typical software engineering assignment would include software requirements definition, software design, code development, peer review, documentation, thorough unit testing, integration testing using simulations and avionics hardware, and defect resolution to JPL flight mission customers.
• The software engineer would typically work under the guidance of a Cognizant Engineer to develop a solid understanding of the required capabilities of the software system.
• The engineer would then be responsible for determining the software approach for the development and ultimately be responsible for the final coded capability.
• This work includes support of software level peer reviews and would also include formal testing of peer developed capabilities.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, or related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of related work experience; a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 4 year of related experience; or a PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 2 years related experience.

• Understanding and application of advanced principles, theories, concepts and hands‑on programming techniques in: Developing, modifying, debugging, releasing and maintaining real‑time embedded software systems for mission-critical, aerospace applications.
• Developing application programs for the various functional domains (e.g., CDH, GNC, System Fault Protection, etc.) for execution in an embedded flight processor.
• Experience with distributed computing and inter‑process communication (IPC) mechanisms.
• Familiarity with communication buses and protocols: PCI/PCIe, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN bus, and SpaceWire.
• Demonstrate ability to show knowledge of UDP / TCP network protocols.
• Familiarity or experience with real‑time or embedded operating systems such as FreeRTOS, RTEMS, Zephyr, or WindRiver VxWorks.
• Experience with static code analysis toolsets.
• Demonstrated ability in the development and delivery of reliable, embedded real‑time software applications that employs formal and structured lifecycle development process.
• Familiarity with software development and testing with experience in the following languages and operating systems: C++, C, Python, Linux.
• Ability to work with in‑development hardware undergoing changing interface specifications.
• Strong verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with ability to work in a team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations across a range of applications.
• Experience with device driver development and software/hardware interfaces for both custom and commercial hardware, with experience debugging software/hardware interactions and possible failure modes.
• Experience developing, deploying and maintaining software product lines.
• Knowledge with software development processes, standards, and practices.
• System engineering experience in generating, tracking and proving successful implementation of requirements.
• Understand of NASA F Prime or cFS open-source frameworks.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) & Testbeds: Hands‑on lab debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers.

Benefits and Perks:

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique.

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave
• many more

Hiring Range:

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $144,664 - $176,488

Equal Opportunity Employer.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law. In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility.

Eligibility & Security:

Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth‑orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world‑leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space‑based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.