Principal Flight SW Engineer — Embedded Linux & Networking

AST SpaceMobile; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile seeks a Principal Flight Software Engineer with deep expertise in embedded Linux and networking to lead the design and development of our satellite fleet's Linux-based networking capabilities. You will own the networking subsystem architecture and collaborate with hardware, RF, and systems teams to deliver integrated solutions.

This role requires hands-on embedded experience, strong debugging skills, and the ability to drive architectural decisions, build and CI infrastructure,

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with significant focus on embedded Linux.
• Deep expertise in Linux kernel internals: network and platform driver development, device tree authoring, and kernel configuration and build.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, UDP, routing, network interfaces, and socket programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of embedded Linux software for flight systems, including BSP bring-up, device driver development, and system-level integration.
• Own the networking subsystem architecture for satellite flight software, including protocol stack implementation, network driver development, and link-layer communication.
• Collaborate with hardware, RF, and systems engineering teams to define interfaces and integrate networking subsystems with spacecraft hardware.
• Define and enforce software architecture, coding, and review standards across the Flight Software Team.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers; conduct code reviews and contribute to engineering best practices.
• Support Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) simulation environments that accurately reflect flight networking behavior.
• Participate in integration and test activities, diagnosing and resolving complex hardware/software issues.
• Lead technical projects end to end — scoping, planning, staffing, and driving them to delivery.
• Own the larger systems and processes the team depends on: build and CI infrastructure, release and configuration management, and software development lifecycle standards.
• Serve as the Flight Software technical point of contact for other engineering teams and program leadership, communicating status, risk, and trade-offs.

Skills

Embedded Linux

Networking (TCP/IP)

C/C++ (C++17)

Yocto/Buildroot

Kernel drivers

Cross-compilation

RTOS (PREEMPT_RT)

Git & CI

System architecture

Leadership & mentoring

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/EE

Tools

GDB

JTAG

SWD

Job description

AST SpaceMobile seeks a Principal Flight Software Engineer with deep expertise in embedded Linux and networking to lead the design and development of our satellite fleet's Linux-based networking capabilities. You will own the networking subsystem architecture and collaborate with hardware, RF, and systems teams to deliver integrated solutions.

This role requires hands-on embedded experience, strong debugging skills, and the ability to drive architectural decisions, build and CI infrastructure,