Missile Flight Software Engineer

Verity Integrated Systems; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Verity Integrated Systems in Huntsville is seeking a Lead Missile Flight Software Engineer to own embedded flight software from concept to flight test. You will lead design, development, and verification for missile flight computers, collaborating with GNC, avionics, and propulsion teams.

The role requires deep experience in C/C++, real-time systems, and hands-on work with hardware-in-the-loop, testing facilities, and secure coding practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in embedded systems or real‑time flight software; 3+ years leading technical teams.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and experience with embedded processors (ARM, PowerPC, DSPs, or SoCs).
• Hands‑on experience delivering software for a fielded product or operational defense system.
• Experience integrating sensors, actuators, IMUs, seekers, GNSS, telemetry, and avionics components.
• Familiarity with RTOS or bare‑metal environments and communication protocols (SPI, UART, CAN, 1553, Ethernet, etc.).
• Working knowledge of CI/CD, Git, CMake, Docker, and hardware‑level debugging tools.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, integration, and verification of embedded flight software for missile flight computers.
• Work across disciplines to define requirements and architect high‑reliability solutions.
• Own software execution from concept through hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), qualification, and flight test events.
• Develop mission‑critical software in C/C++ for real‑time processors, microcontrollers, and custom missile hardware.
• Implement and optimize control loops, state estimation, actuator control, sensor fusion, and telemetry handling.
• Develop board support packages, device drivers, and hardware‑abstraction layers for flight processors.
• Ensure deterministic timing, robust fault‑management, and safety‑critical execution.
• Lead HIL/SIL/processor‑in‑the‑loop testing and simulation‑driven verification.
• Debug and resolve system‑level issues involving timing, concurrency, and embedded communications.
• Support captive‑carry testing, ground test facilities, integration labs, and live‑fire developmental test campaigns.
• Guide software planning, scheduling, team tasking, and technical execution.
• Estimate software size/cost, plan staffing needs, and support proposal development.
• Collaborate directly with customers, internal stakeholders, and flight test teams.
• Ensure adherence to DevSecOps pipelines, configuration management, and secure coding best practices.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded

RTOS

CI/CD

Git

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related

Tools

CMake

Docker

Job description

Overview

Verity is building the next generation of high‑performance missile systems, and we're looking for a Lead Missile Flight Software Engineer who wants to own real hardware, make technical decisions that matter, and see their work go all the way to flight test.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Systems Integration

• Lead the design, development, integration, and verification of embedded flight software for missile flight computers
• Work across disciplines (GNC, avionics, seeker, propulsion, systems engineering) to define requirements and architect high‑reliability solutions
• Own software execution from concept through hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), qualification, and flight test events

Embedded Software & Real‑Time Development

• Develop mission‑critical software in C/C++ (Rust or other languages as applicable) for real‑time processors, microcontrollers, and custom missile hardware
• Implement and optimize control loops, state estimation, actuator control, sensor fusion, and telemetry handling
• Develop board support packages, device drivers, and hardware‑abstraction layers for flight processors
• Ensure deterministic timing, robust fault‑management, and safety‑critical execution

Test, Verification, and Flight Readiness

• Lead HIL/SIL/processor‑in‑the‑loop testing and simulation‑driven verification
• Debug and resolve system‑level issues involving timing, concurrency, and embedded communications
• Support captive‑carry testing, ground test facilities, integration labs, and live‑fire developmental test campaigns

Program Leadership & Execution

• Guide software planning, scheduling, team tasking, and technical execution
• Estimate software size/cost, plan staffing needs, and support proposal development
• Collaborate directly with customers, internal stakeholders, and flight test teams
• Ensure adherence to DevSecOps pipelines, configuration management, and secure coding best practices

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years in embedded systems or real‑time flight software; 3+ years leading technical teams
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and experience with embedded processors (ARM, PowerPC, DSPs, or SoCs)
• Hands‑on experience delivering software for a fielded product or operational defense system
• Experience integrating sensors, actuators, IMUs, seekers, GNSS, telemetry, and avionics components
• Familiarity with RTOS or bare‑metal environments and communication protocols (SPI, UART, CAN, 1553, Ethernet, etc.)
• Working knowledge of CI/CD, Git, CMake, Docker, and hardware‑level debugging tools
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Missile or weapon‑system flight software experience
• Experience with guidance, control, terminal homing, seeker integration, and flight‑computer hardware
• Experience developing safety‑critical software (DO‑178C, MIL‑STD, AIAA standards)
• Experience with HIL testing, 6DOF simulation environments, MATLAB/Simulink, or mission‑simulation frameworks
• Knowledge of secure coding, anti‑tamper, and cyber‑hardening for embedded systems
• Experience with Agile development leading a software IPT, Scrum team, or technical product area

Why Join Us?

• Work directly on flight‑critical and flight‑test‑proven missile systems
• Influence architecture, system design, and mission‑critical code from day one
• Small, high‑trust engineering teams with major technical ownership
• Direct contact with hardware, flight computers, and test environments‑not just software on a laptop
• Clear advancement path: Principal Engineer, Chief Engineer, or Program Technical Lead
• Competitive compensation, strong benefits, and a mission‑driven culture