Flight Software Engineer – Spacecraft & Laser Payload

Approach Venture LLC; San Francisco (CA); On-site; 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

Flight Software Engineer – Write the Software That Moves a Satellite and Points Its Laser

San Francisco, CA | Hybrid or Remote with Travel

Opportunity Summary

Join a newly funded space and defense startup building the first spacecraft to carry a high-energy laser into orbit. As a Flight Software Engineer, you will build the software that operates the spacecraft and its laser payload, taking it from the test bench through launch and on-orbit operations.

You will help define the flight software architecture from day one, likely on an open-source flight framework such as F Prime, and work closely with GNC and electrical engineers every day. We care more about what you have shipped on a fast-moving program than which language you shipped it in. San Francisco is preferred, and strong candidates in Los Angeles, Denver, or Seattle who can travel regularly are welcome.

About Us

We are a stealth-stage space and defense company building the first spacecraft to put a high-energy laser in orbit. Hundreds of billions of dollars in satellites operate today with no way to defend themselves, and we are building the capability to protect them. Our three founders have designed, built, and launched complex space hardware at leading space companies and defense primes. Backed by an oversubscribed seed round from tier‑one venture investors, we are building our demonstration spacecraft over the next 12 months.

Job Duties

• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of flight or embedded software experience.
• Ownership of flight software on a development 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.

Preferred Experience

• F Prime or NASA cFS.
• Spacecraft attitude determination and control (ADCS) software.
• Electrical engineering background or hands‑on avionics work.
• Early flight software hire at a small spacecraft or launch startup.
• Launch campaign, mission operations, or on-orbit anomaly response.
• CCSDS protocols and space-to-ground communication links.

Why Join Us

• Write the software for the first high-energy laser to operate in space.
• Location flexibility, with hybrid or remote-with-travel options.
• No-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, with subsidized family coverage.
• Meaningful early‑stage equity.
• Work alongside founders who have designed, built, and launched complex space hardware.
• Relocation support if company locations evolve as we grow.

Compensation Details

$180,000 – $250,000 + equity