Principal Flight Software Engineer

EVONA; Maryland; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA is seeking a Principal Flight Software Engineer to own difficult embedded problems and lead technically within a fast-paced, hands-on space systems team.

You will develop flight software across embedded Linux and RTOS, build drivers and hardware interfaces, lead architecture and delivery, debug with lab hardware, mentor engineers, and shape how AI is responsibly used in embedded software.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of embedded software engineering experience.
• Strong Embedded Linux experience.
• Experience with RTOS such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Green Hills, VxWorks or similar.
• Experience working close to hardware.
• Strong integration and debugging skills.
• Ability to take ownership and lead technically without needing direct reports.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop flight software across embedded Linux and RTOS platforms.
• Build low-level software in C/C++, including drivers, BSPs and hardware interfaces.
• Lead projects from architecture and design through integration and delivery.
• Debug complex hardware/software issues in the lab.
• Work across networking and communication interfaces.
• Collaborate with RF, hardware, systems and mission operations teams.
• Improve development processes, CI, build and release infrastructure.
• Mentor engineers and help drive technical standards across the team.
• Shape how AI is responsibly used within embedded software development.

Skills

Embedded software engineering

Embedded Linux

C/C++ development

RTOS experience

Hardware interfacing

Leadership without direct reports

CI/CD/build systems

AI in embedded software

Tools

Yocto

Buildroot

PREEMPT_RT

RFSoC

Job description

We're working with a fast-growing space company developing a first-of-its-kind satellite communications network with the potential to fundamentally change global connectivity.

They're looking for a Principal Flight Software Engineer to join a small, highly technical team building and operating complex flight systems.

This is a hands-on Principal role for someone who can own difficult embedded problems, lead technically and step up when needed.

What you'll be doing

• Develop flight software across embedded Linux and RTOS platforms
• Build low-level software in C/C++, including drivers, BSPs and hardware interfaces
• Lead projects from architecture and design through integration and delivery
• Debug complex hardware/software issues in the lab
• Work across networking and communication interfaces
• Collaborate closely with RF, hardware, systems and mission operations teams
• Improve development processes, CI, build and release infrastructure
• Mentor engineers and help drive technical standards across the team
• Help shape how AI is responsibly used within embedded software development

What we're looking for

• 10+ years of embedded software engineering experience
• Strong Embedded Linux experience
• Experience with an RTOS such as FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Green Hills, VxWorks or similar
• Experience working close to hardware
• Strong integration and debugging skills
• Ability to take ownership and lead technically without needing direct reports
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on engineering environment

Nice to have

• RF or RFSoC experience
• Embedded networking / TCP/IP
• Yocto or Buildroot
• PREEMPT_RT
• Embedded security or fault-tolerant software

This is a great opportunity for an engineer who wants real ownership, difficult technical problems and the chance to build flight software for a genuinely groundbreaking space-based communications system.