Lead Flight Software Engineer

Astra Core-X; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Astra CoreX, Inc. is seeking a Lead Flight Software Engineer to architect, develop, and own the onboard software stack for next‑generation aerospace vehicles.

You will work with GN&C, avionics, and autonomy teams to design real‑time flight software for mission sequencing, fault management, telemetry, and closed‑loop control. The role combines hands‑on embedded software development with verification across SITL/HITL, RTOS frameworks, and low‑level hardware interfaces, plus mentoring of junior

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 5–10 years embedded/flight software experience.
• Strong C/C++ in real-time systems.
• Experience with RTOS, interrupts, and hardware interfaces.
• Experience with SITL/HITL testing and testbeds.
• Experience with fault management and safety-critical state machines.
• US citizen eligible for government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement flight software subsystems (FDIR, telemetry, health).
• Integrate GN&C algorithms into real-time, resource-constrained environments.
• Define interfaces to sensors, actuators, and communication links and drivers.
• Develop SITL/HITL simulation and testing infrastructure.
• Own software reliability, hazard analyses, and fault containment strategies.
• Collaborate with vehicle engineering on software requirements and verification plans.
• Lead code reviews, integration, and debugging on embedded targets.
• Support flight test campaigns with telemetry monitoring and data analysis.
• Mentor junior engineers and establish coding standards and configuration management.

Skills

C/C++ for embedded

RTOS

Embedded hardware interfaces

Software-in-the-loop / HIL

Firmware development

Python

Leadership

Education

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

Master’s degree or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Version control (Git)

CI/CD pipelines

SITL/HITL tooling

RTOS frameworks

Job description

Job Title: Lead Flight Software Engineer

Location: Broomfield, CO

Clearance: U.S. Citizenship Required (ITAR/DoW Programs)

About the Role

Astra CoreX, Inc. (ACX) is seeking a Lead Flight Software Engineer to architect, develop, and own the onboard software stack for next-generation aerospace vehicles. You will work closely with Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GN&C), avionics, and autonomy teams to design and implement real-time flight software responsible for mission sequencing, fault management, telemetry, and closed-loop control.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of flight software subsystems including mode management, fault detection/isolation/recovery (FDIR), command and telemetry handling, and health monitoring.
• Work with G&C and avionics to integrate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms into real-time, resource-constrained environments using RTOS-based frameworks.
• Define and implement interfaces to sensors, actuators, and communication links (e.g., IMUs, RF links, propulsion, power systems) including low-level drivers and middleware.
• Develop and maintain simulation and test infrastructure, including software-in-the-loop (SITL), hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), Monte Carlo analysis, and recorded flight data playback to validate flight software performance and robustness.
• Own flight software reliability and safety: perform hazard analyses, define fault containment strategies, implement watchdogs, safe modes, and redundancy management.
• Collaborate with vehicle engineering to define software requirements, architecture documents, ICDs, and verification plans for flight-critical functionality.
• Lead code reviews, integration efforts, and debugging sessions on embedded targets with cross-functional teams (GN&C, avionics, payloads, ground software).
• Support integration and flight test campaigns, including pre-flight readiness, real-time telemetry monitoring, anomaly investigation, and post-flight data analysis.
• Mentor and guide junior flight software engineers, establish best practices for coding standards, testing, and configuration management for flight-critical systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or another relevant field.
• 5–10 years of experience designing, implementing, and testing embedded or flight software for aerospace, defense, or autonomous systems.
• Strong experience with C and/or C++ for embedded, real-time systems; familiarity with Rust and Python for tools, test, or infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience developing software for microcontrollers or embedded processors, including working with RTOSes, interrupts, and hardware interfaces (e.g., UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Demonstrated experience with software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing, including building and using testbeds and simulators for flight software validation.
• Experience implementing fault management, mode logic, and safety-critical state machines in operational systems.
• Strong understanding of real-time constraints, concurrency, and resource management (CPU, memory, and timing budgets) in embedded environments.
• Experience with configuration management, version control, and CI/CD pipelines for embedded software.
• U.S. citizen with eligibility for government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or another relevant field.
• 10+ years of experience in flight software or safety-critical embedded systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, UAVs, or advanced aerospace platforms.
• Experience integrating advanced GN&C algorithms into flight software, including MIMO feedback, trajectory following, and mission sequencing.
• Familiarity with aerospace software standards and processes (e.g., NASA/ESA standards, DO-178C, ECSS, or similar safety-critical frameworks).
• Experience with telemetry systems, ground software interfaces, and operational concepts for flight missions.
• Background in building and operating end-to-end mission software stacks, from embedded flight code to ground tools and monitoring systems.
• Experience with formal verification, static analysis tools, or rigorous validation approaches for high-reliability software.
• Prior leadership experience guiding teams of embedded/flight software engineers on complex, multi-vehicle or multi-mission programs.

Salary Range

ACX offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life, and Short and Long-Term disability coverage from day one. We also offer a generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match. Every role at ACX is bonus eligible.

ACX is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.