Principal Flight Software Engineer I

CesiumAstro; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking a software engineering leader to develop and integrate satellite and ground system software across the full development cycle. You will contribute to flight software, mission data, and operations systems with a focus on high-reliability applications and scalable architectures.

The role emphasizes hands-on design, rigorous testing, documentation, and collaboration with hardware engineers to deliver robust space-grade software solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing software for space systems and satellites.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for customer and executive presentations.
• Knowledge of software engineering practices, testing, and high-reliability qualification.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement software to build and integrate mission systems including satellites, ground stations, and mission operations centers.
• Architect, design, develop, code, test, debug, and document space system software.
• Mentor junior team members and provide expert guidance to product design.

Job description

_ Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State._

At CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

In this position, you will be responsible for low-level and high-level software in CesiumAstro’s products through all phases of the development process. Key projects will include satellite flight software as well as mission data and operations systems for space missions. CesiumAstro’s goal is to create an out-of-the-box hardware and software experience which enhances our customers’ ability to rapidly integrate our products into their systems.

As a CesiumAstro software team member, you will be responsible for software designs from concept through production, including product roadmaps, block diagrams, detailed design and coding, analysis, test, qualification, and in-orbit support. The ideal candidate will have development experience at nearly every level of the software stack, including microcontrollers, low-level drivers, board support packages (BSP), and user interfaces with an emphasis on applications and data management. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience in software testing and high-reliability qualification, as well as software engineering and software project management practices.

The successful candidate will present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal-writing efforts. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a technical leader, design and implement software to build and integrate mission systems including satellites, ground stations, and mission operations centers.
• Architect, design, develop, code, test, debug, and document space system software.
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing expertise on space software systems throughout CesiumAstro.
• Review code and system designs.
• Analyze code for efficiency, stability, and scalability.
• Integrate and validate new product designs.
• Provide expert guidance to direct product design.
• Support software quality assurance and optimize I/O performance.
• Provide post-production/in-orbit customer support.
• Interface with hardware design and development engineers.
• Mentor junior team members.