Payload Software Engineer

Intuitive Machines, LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive Machines is seeking an Embedded Payload Software Engineer in Houston to design, implement, and test flight software for payloads and spacecraft subsystems. The role involves collaborating with hardware teams and payload customers to define interfaces and ensure robust software integration for challenging space missions.

The candidate will contribute across the software lifecycle, draft tests, and ensure high-quality deliverables in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in physics or engineering.
• 3+ years of C/C++ development experience.
• 3+ years hardware/software integration.
• Experience with serial communication protocols (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485).
• Familiar with real-time operating systems.
• Familiar with packetized protocols (IP/UDP, IP/TCP).
• Strong software quality and testing mindset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with payload customers.
• Self-starting and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
• Passion for spaceflight.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and maintain embedded flight software features and improvements
• Analyze, test and perform I/O performance assessments upon integrated hardware/software solutions
• Interface with hardware design and development
• Draft unit/integration tests and coordinate high-level testing of features
• Organize and develop software interface control documents with payload customers
• Work with payload customers to design, define, develop, integrate and test software interfaces for their payloads

Skills

C/C++ development

Hardware/software integration

Serial communications (RS-232/RS-422/0

Real-time operating systems

IP/UDP/IP/TCP networking

Software quality & testing

Written and verbal communication

Self-starting & problem solving

Ability to work in fast-paced env.

Passion for spaceflight

Payload customer interfacing

Education

B.S. in physics or engineering

Tools

GSFC Core Flight Software (CFS) framework

Device driver implementations

Rust

Docker-based containerization

Windows and POSIX-based operating systems

Gitflow / configuration management

Job description

About Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. We believe our mission is to further research, communications, and exploration beyond low lunar orbit. With multiple NASA lunar missions in the making and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.

Embedded Payload Software Engineer

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. We believe our mission is to further research, communications, and exploration beyond low lunar orbit. With multiple NASA lunar missions in the making and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.

Intuitive Machines is leading the charge to cislunar space with our fleet of landers and satellites. We proudly put forward an exceptional team that lives at the intersection of rigor and agility. We are seeking the best, the brightest and the driven to be part of the commercial space revolution on and around the moon.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and maintain embedded flight software features and improvements
• Analyze, test and perform I/O performance assessments upon integrated hardware/software solutions
• Interface with hardware design and development
• Draft unit/integration tests and coordinate high-level testing of features
• Organize and develop software interface control documents with payload customers
• Work with payload customers to design, define, develop, integrate and test software interfaces for their payloads

Requirements

• B.S. in physics or engineering domain
• 3+ years experience in C/C++ development
• 3+ years experience with hardware/software integration
• Familiar with serial communications protocols (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, etc.)
• Familiar with real-time operating systems
• Familiar with packetized communications protocols (IP/UDP, IP/TCP)
• Organized, thorough and methodical approach to software quality and testing
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Capable of both high quantity and high quality output
• Soft skills for working directly with our payload customers
• Penchant for self-starting and problem solving
• Ability to work in a fast paced, hard charging, high stakes environment
• A passion for spaceflight

Highly Desired

• Experience with GSFC Core Flight Software (CFS) framework
• Experience with device driver implementations
• Experience with Rust
• Experience with logging frameworks and their architecture
• Experience with Windows and POSIX-based operating systems
• Experience with Docker-based containerization
• Experience in an agile / scrum development environment
• Experience in Gitflow coordinated configuration management schemes

EEOC

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.