Lead Flight Software Engineer — Embedded Spacecraft

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena seeks a Flight Software Engineer IV to develop embedded flight software for spacecraft and payloads within the Flight Software Architecture group. You will contribute to leadership and delivery across CubeSats and larger missions, collaborating with avionics and mission systems teams.

The role emphasizes independent work or leading small teams, with a strong focus on design, testing, and integration in a mission-critical environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive understanding and hands-on programming techniques in real-time embedded software for mission-critical aerospace applications.
• Experience architecting, developing, debugging, releasing and maintaining complex embedded software for spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded flight software for spacecraft and payloads.
• Lead design reviews and mentor junior engineers.
• Integrate software with avionics hardware and simulations.

Skills

Embedded RTOS

C/C++

Python

IPC

Embedded systems

Linux

VxWorks

Software architecture

Team leadership

CAN bus

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Master's degree in related discipline

PhD in related discipline

Tools

WindRiver VxWorks

FreeRTOS

Zephyr

SpaceWire

PCIe

UART

I2C

SPI

Job description

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena seeks a Flight Software Engineer IV to develop embedded flight software for spacecraft and payloads within the Flight Software Architecture group. You will contribute to leadership and delivery across CubeSats and larger missions, collaborating with avionics and mission systems teams.

The role emphasizes independent work or leading small teams, with a strong focus on design, testing, and integration in a mission-critical environment.