Principal Flight Software Engineer

K2 Space Corporation; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in the company

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid parental leave

Job summary

K2 Space Corporation is seeking a software engineer to develop critical software for spacecraft systems. You will work on real-time control, ensure robust operation, and verify software on multiple spacecraft. Candidates need a degree in a relevant STEM field or significant experience. Strong skills in Rust, C++, Python, and VHDL are required, along with a drive to innovate in a challenging environment.

This role offers a competitive salary range of $200,000 – $240,000 plus equity, along with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision coverage, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in Rust, C/C++, Python, VHDL, and SystemVerilog.

Responsibilities

• Create software architecture for real‑time control of a spacecraft.
• Develop applications for spacecraft subsystems including propulsion.
• Design state machines for robust spacecraft operation.
• Perform data analysis and resolve software bugs.

Skills

Rust

C++

Python

VHDL

SystemVerilog

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or another STEM discipline

10+ years of professional experience in software engineering

Job description

Role

The software team at K2 aims to blur the lines between various types of software development and encourages team members to get into parts of the stack they may not otherwise have experience with. This spectrum includes GNC algorithms (Rust, C++), application software on flight computers (Rust, C++), embedded software on microcontrollers (Rust, C++), operating systems (Rust, C++, C), HDL programming (VHDL, SystemVerilog), test systems (Python), and many in between. The role does not include front-end, artificial intelligence, or machine learning development.

As a part of the team, you will be responsible for the development and verification of the software used to fly some of the largest spacecraft ever flown. You will write mission-critical code that controls propulsion, attitude control, and power systems to ensure safe and reliable operation of the vehicle. In the first 6 months you will develop core pieces of the software architecture including fault tolerance, real‑time control, and telemetry downlink strategies. In your first year you will implement larger software systems and begin verifying your code using software and hardware in the loop simulators. In your first two years you will operate your code on multiple spacecraft, demonstrating robust performance in demanding missions.

Responsibilities

• Create software architecture for real‑time, fault‑tolerant control of a 20kW+ spacecraft
• Develop software applications for control of spacecraft subsystems, including propulsion, guidance/attitude control, thermal, power, and communications systems
• Design and implement state machines for robust operation of the spacecraft
• Create and utilize robust tools to allow for rapid deployment of quality code
• Perform data analysis and anomaly investigation to identify and resolve software bugs
• Support integration and testing of the spacecraft subsystems
• Build and maintain infrastructure to increase reliability when developing and testing software

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or another STEM discipline, or 10+ years of professional experience in software engineering
• Development experience in Rust, C/C++, Python, VHDL, SystemVerilog

Nice to Have

• Experience with spacecraft flight software development
• Fluency with Linux systems programming and driver development
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery systems
• Experience building or working with hard real‑time embedded systems (bare‑metal or RTOS)
• Basic knowledge of electronics, computer architecture, and control systems
• Experience developing or working with state machines
• Experience with software verification and testing methods
• Experience with software and network performance analysis and debugging
• Experience implementing Extended Kalman Filters for inertial sensors
• Experience with fault‑tolerant software design and implementation
• Experience defining and creating test systems for both hardware‑in‑the-loop and hardware‑out‑of‑the-loop

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range: $200,000 – $240,000 plus equity in the company
• Salary determined by knowledge, skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and other perks

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other protected individuals. The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by export regulations; the hired individual must be a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15, or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.