Founding Flight Software Engineer

Actalent; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare, dental, vision

HSA, 401k

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Founding Flight Software Engineer to join our early engineering team in Torrance, CA. You will develop and integrate the flight software stack end-to-end, spanning ground-side mission operations tools and vehicle-side embedded software, working with avionics, GNC, and systems engineers to bring the vehicle from concept to flight.

This role demands experience with real-time embedded systems, mission ops software, and cloud-based ground systems, with ITAR considerations and

Qualifications

• B.S. in CS/CE/EE or physics-based degree required.
• Experience in systems and mission operations software.
• Experience with ground software and telemetry/command systems.
• Experience with space systems (rovers, satellites, launch vehicles).
• Familiarity developing embedded software for real-time/safety-critical systems.
• Exposure to DevOps for embedded systems and automated testing pipelines.
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop, fault tolerance, and safety-critical standards.
• Experience with cloud-based ground systems or mission control software.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance (US Person).

Responsibilities

• Build mission operations software and ground tools for real-time missions.
• Develop and integrate flight software for the vehicle from architecture to flight readiness.
• Create ground software services for telemetry, commanding, and visualization.
• Write embedded software for flight computers, sensors, actuators.
• Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, and GNC to define interfaces and data models.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and simulation environments.
• Support software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing and flight campaigns.

Skills

Systems software

Mission operations

Telemetry/command

Embedded real-time

DevOps for embedded

Hardware-in-the-loop

Cloud-based ground systems

Education

B.S. in CS/CE/EE or physics

Tools

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Job Title: Founding Flight Software Engineer

Company Overview

• We design and deliver resilient, high-performance spacecrafts that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution — empowering every engineer to think systemically, act decisively, and build with purpose. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.

Team / Department

• You will join our Engineering Division, responsible for the design, development, and test of flight systems across our autonomous spacecraft portfolio.

The Role

• We are seeking a Founding Flight Software Engineer. As part of our early engineering team, your scope of work will focus on developing and integrating the flight software stack end-to-end — spanning ground-side mission operations tools, and vehicle-side embedded software. You’ll work closely with avionics, GNC, and systems engineers to help bring our vehicle from concept to flight.

Key Responsibilities

• Build mission operations software — the ground tools that plan, execute, and monitor missions in real time.
• Develop and integrate flight software for the vehicle — from architecture and implementation to test and flight readiness.
• Develop ground software services for telemetry, commanding, and visualization.
• Write embedded software for flight computers, sensors, and actuators.
• Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, and GNC teams to define software interfaces and data models.
• Contribute to flight software CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and simulation environments.
• Support software-in-the-loop testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, environmental testing, and flight campaigns.

Qualifications & Skills

• B.S. Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical, or other sciences and/or physics based degree
• Prior experience in systems and mission operations software
• Experience with ground software, mission ops, or telemetry/command systems.
• Experience with space systems - rovers, satellites, launch vehicles, etc.
• Familiarity developing embedded software for real-time or safety-critical systems (aerospace, robotics, automotive, or similar).
• Exposure to DevOps for embedded systems and automated testing pipelines.
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop, fault tolerance, and safety-critical standards.
• Experience with cloud-based ground systems or mission control software
• Due to ITAR requirements, candidates must have a U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain or have an active TS/SCI clearance (US Person considered)

Why Us?

• Join a small, high-impact team developing the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. Here engineers own the full lifecycle — from concept through flight — shaping the future of trusted, resilient spacecraft autonomy.

Job Type & Location

Permanent position based out of Torrance, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $240000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Healthcare, dental, vision, HSA, 401k, etc.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Torrance,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.