Flight Software Engineer V

Arcfield; Louisville, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield company, headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, seeks a Flight Software Engineer V to lead development, integration, and maintenance of complex ground and space payload software. You will collaborate with hardware engineers and program leads to deliver reliable, high‑performance software for multiple programs.

The role emphasizes embedded systems, C/C++, Python, RTOS, and CI/CD practices, with experience in Git, Docker/Podman, and networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering or computation field with 10–12 years (MS 8–10 yrs; PhD 5–7 yrs) of software engineering experience in high‑reliability space & aerospace applications.
• Experience with space processing architectures across micro-controllers, processors, SoC, and GPUs.
• Strong knowledge of embedded systems, operating systems, RTOS, and programming/scripting languages (C, C++, Python, Bash).
• Experience across all development phases from requirements to sustainment.
• Experience with git-based source control and CI/CD systems.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Podman, Docker, Docker-Compose.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP, UDP, serial, routing, and message queues.

Responsibilities

• Develop complex applications and algorithms for embedded processing systems using latest architectures (MCUs, processors, GPUs, SoC).
• Maintain code, configuration management, and CI/CD pipelines for build, test, and deployment of software and applications.
• Participate in design reviews, code inspections, and integration tests with hardware and software to ensure efficiency, stability, and scalability.
• Support qualification and certification activities for flight software, including documentation for reviews and audits.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Interface with hardware designers, scientists, and development engineers; monitor software trends and assess third-party/open-source software.

Skills

Embedded systems

RTOS

C/C++

Python

Git & CI/CD

Docker/Podman

Networking (TCP/IP, UDP)

Bash scripting

Space/aerospace domain knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or computation

MS in engineering or computation

PhD in engineering or computation

Tools

Podman

Docker

Docker-Compose

Job description

Responsibilities

Overview

Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield company, was born out of the vision for applying fundamental space physics knowledge to address real-world problems. Founded in 2005, and based in Louisville, Colorado, Orion Space Solutions is a leader in the "New Space" small satellite industry. We leverage our scientific and engineering expertise to develop unique solutions to address complex space physics challenges, including instrumentation, modeling capabilities, and data analytics; Orion Space Solutions turns science into data, data into knowledge. We are scientists, researchers, engineers and businesspeople dedicated to solving global problems that affect how people live, work and play on our planet and in space through applied science backed by empirical knowledge. If you want to be part of a highly collaborative team, work in an amazing environment surrounded by the best and the brightest, solving BIG problems for our planet, read on.

Overview

• Flight Software Engineer V leads the development, integration, and maintenance for complex ground and space payloads for Orion Space Solutions engineering team. The successful candidate will partner with hardware engineers, program leads, and other participating engineers to deliver reliable, high-performance software for multiple programs.
• Key Responsibilities
• Develop complex applications and algorithms for embedded processing systems utilizing latest processing architectures: micro-controllers, processors, graphic processing units (GPU) and system-on-chip devices (SoC), for spacecraft, ground sensor, and tooling applications.
• Maintain code and configuration management and CI/CD pipeline best practices for build, test, and deployment of software/applications.
• Participate in technical design reviews, code inspections, and integration tests with hardware and software, analyzing and building code for efficiency, stability, and scalability.
• Support qualification and certification activities for flight software, preparing necessary documentation and evidence for training, reviews, and audits.
• Deliver excellent written and verbal communication; convey complex technical concepts to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Deliver software/documentation/products balancing technical excellence with cost and schedule targets.
• Interface with hardware designers, scientists, and development engineers.
• Monitor and report software trends and assess third party and open-source software for use in applications.
• Support proposal writing and technical information for new business.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering or computation field plus 10-12 years, MS plus 8-10 years, or PhD plus 5-7 years of professional experience in software engineering development positions for high-reliability space & aerospace applications.
• Experience with space processing architecture encompassing micro-controllers, processors, system-on-chip and graphic processing unit devices.
• Strong knowledge of embedded systems, operating systems, RTOS and programming/scripting languages (C, C++, Python, Bash)
• Experience supporting programs and products through all phases of development – from requirements derivation and development to sustainment.
• Experience with git-based source control and continuous integration and continuous delivery systems.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Podman, Docker, Docker-Compose.
• Familiarity with communication protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, serial, routing, message queues.

Preferred

• Experience developing and implementing architectures for variety of customers: DoW (national defense), NASA (civil space), and commercial customers.
• Experience with cybersecurity concepts, vetting, and implementation in flight software and supporting systems.
• Knowledge of aerospace concepts including basic orbital mechanics, sources of perturbations, and payload interactions with spacecraft attitude and environment.

Equal Pay Act

This is the projected compensation range for this position. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location (For Remote Opportunities), education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories. In addition, Arcfield invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Arcfield 's benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.Min: $134,299.64Max: $233,521.01

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and federal government contractor. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment as protected by law.