Principal Flight Software Engineer

Astro Digital; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Digital in San Jose, CA is seeking a seasoned Principal FlightSoftware Engineer to lead the development of onboard spacecraft software. You will architect, design, implement, validate, and sustain mission-critical applications across multiple programs, while mentoring engineers and defining development standards.

The role blends hands-on coding with technical leadership in a hybrid environment, with options to work from Littleton, CO or San Jose, CA and some remote flexibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software/EE/CS or related field.
• 14+ years of spacecraft flight software experience.
• Expert in real-time, multi-threaded systems and hardware/software integration.
• Expert with modern C++ (C++17 or later).
• Experience with Linux and flight software standards (RS-422/485, TCP/UDP).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy flight software for spacecraft.
• Implement software using modern C++ for real-time Linux.
• Serve as technical authority for flight software architecture.
• Establish software development standards, coding guidelines, verification processes, and engineering best practices.
• Mentor and develop flight software engineers, fostering technical excellence.

Skills

Real-time systems

Multi-threaded programming

Linux development

C++17

Software architecture

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Software/EE/CS

Tools

Git

Linux

CCSDS

TCP/UDP

Job description

AstroDigital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellitesystems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several businessapplications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbitdemonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital isheadquartered in Littleton, Colorado with 100+ employees and infrastructurearound the globe.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal FlightSoftware Engineer to join our team developing mission-critical software forsatellite systems. In this role, you will serve as both a senior individualcontributor and technical leader for the development of spacecraft flightsoftware. You will be responsible for architecting, designing, implementing,validating, and sustaining mission-critical application software that operatesonboard spacecraft throughout all phases of a mission lifecycle. Thisindividual will provide technical leadership across multiple programs,influence engineering strategy, mentor team members, and establish softwaredevelopment best practices while remaining hands-on with system architecture,code development, and integration.

We offer a hybrid schedule that blends in-personcollaboration from either our Littleton, CO or San Jose, CA facility, andremote flexibility.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Design,develop, test, and deploy flight software for spacecraft and hostedpayloads includingfor command and telemetry processing, power control, thermalmanagement, communications, fault management, onboard autonomy, missionsequencing, and payload operations
• Implementsoftware using modern C++ for real-time, multi-threaded Linux applications
• Serveas the technical authority for spacecraft flight software architecture,design, implementation, and validation
• Establish software development standards, codingguidelines, verification processes, and engineering best practices
• Mentorand develop flight software engineers, fostering technical excellence andengineering rigor

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering,Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 14+years of experience in spacecraft flight software development
• Strongunderstanding of real-time, multi-threaded systems and hardware/softwareintegration
• Expert-levelproficiency withmodern C++ (version 17 or later)
• Expert knowledge of communicationstandardsand protocols (e.g. RS422/485, TCP, UDP, SLIP, CCSDS)
• Experience with Linux device drivers and boardsupport packages
• Experience with software development lifecycle,configuration management, and version control tools (e.g., Git)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Work out of the Denver area or San Jose area

PreferredQualifications

• Experience with a variety of flight softwareframeworks
• Experiencewith ASI's MAX Flight Software
• Experiencewith spacecraft operations
• Experience leading technical teams

Pay Transparency

Astro Digital employees are provided with a comprehensivebenefits package that includes company stock options, healthcare, 401kretirement plan, and PTO. The range of possible compensation for this role is$170k-$230k annually, depending on candidate experience, alignment, andlocation.

Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to lift and move objectsweighing up to 20 Lbs. Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching maybe required.

Export Statement

This position requires access to export-controlledcommodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S.citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person statusunder 22 CFR §120.15 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.