Senior Flight Software Engineer

Physics World; Louisville (CO); Hybrid; USD 146,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

IonQ, a leader in quantum platform technology, seeks a mid-to-senior Flight Software Engineer to develop and maintain flight software for our satellite constellation. You will work with EE, FPGA, and ground software teams to ensure seamless hardware-software integration and robust, real-time performance.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in embedded, real-time development, strong C/C++, Python skills, and familiarity with Linux, RTOS, and Xilinx Zynq hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on engineering experience.
• Experience with real-time embedded systems and low-level drivers.
• Experience with bare-metal or RTOS real-time software development.
• Familiarity with embedded Linux and kernel modules.
• Strong C/C++ and Python skills.
• Experience with Xilinx Zynq SoCs.
• Software configuration management.
• Lab equipment and electronics hardware experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain flight software for a growing satellite constellation.
• Collaborate with EE, FPGA, and ground software engineers to ensure integration.
• Lead code reviews and mentor teammates with high-standard feedback.
• Write unit and integration tests to ensure robustness and reliability.
• Develop software documentation and cross-train team members.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software issues, including live on-orbit operations.
• Participate in the software development life cycle from requirements to deployment.
• Support integration and operations teams with software queries.

Skills

Embedded software

Real-time systems

C/C++ programming

Python scripting

Linux knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Tools

Xilinx Zynq

Job description

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc . [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ's newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance .

Job Details

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc . [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ's newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance .

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.

About Capella

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella's culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations.

Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella's ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

Location

This role can be based at our Louisville, CO or San Francisco office with the option to work a few days a week remotely.

Experience Level

Open to strong mid-level through senior-level embedded software engineers (5+ years).

Travel

Up to 5%

Job ID

1729

The Role

Capella Space now part of IonQ's space business operates one of the world's most capable commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellations, delivering all-weather, day-and-night imagery to government and commercial customers around the globe. As IonQ builds the physical infrastructure for the world's first quantum-secured space network, spanning satellite operations and free-space optical communications, the Flight Software team is what keeps that constellation flying every day.

As a Flight Software Engineer, you will write the software that runs our satellite fleet in orbit, working daily alongside FPGA developers, electrical engineers, and other subsystem owners to design, build, and evolve flight code. You'll bring a demonstrable track record with complex, safety-critical systems, strong systems-architecture judgment, and the experience to help shape the team's engineering roadmap, turning sophisticated radar technology into software that is reliable and easy to operate.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain flight software for a growing satellite constellation.
• Collaborate with EE, FPGA, and ground software engineers to ensure seamless integration between hardware and software.
• Lead code reviews and mentor teammates with constructive, high-standard feedback.
• Write and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure robustness and reliability of the software.
• Develop software documentation and provide cross-training to other team members.
• Troubleshoot and resolve software issues quickly, including in live on-orbit operations.
• Participate in the software development life cycle, from requirement analysis to deployment.
• Support integration and operations teams with software-related queries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of relevant, hands-on engineering experience.
• Ability to support a design through all software lifecycles including initial schematic review and architectural tradeoffs, preliminary and detailed design, implementation, integration, and test.
• Experience working with real-time embedded systems - both hardware and software, including low-level drivers.
• Hands on experience developing, testing, and debugging hard real-time software (bare-metal or RTOS).
• Familiarity with embedded Linux, Linux kernel modules, and standard Linux tools.
• Strong knowledge of programming compiled (C, C++) and scripted (Python, shell script, etc.) languages.
• Experience writing software for microcontrollers and other embedded systems, e.g., Xilinx Zynq SoCs.
• Familiarity with software configuration management.
• Hand-on experience with lab equipment and electronics hardware, e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers.

Why This Role

• Direct ownership of flight software running on satellites in orbit today, not a simulation.
• A front-row seat to IonQ's next chapter: building the infrastructure behind the world's first quantum-secured space network.
• A small, senior, high-trust engineering team where your architectural decisions carry real weight.

Required Qualification

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Compensation

• The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $191,047 . The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site.
• Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.
• At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
• We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs.

The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying "U.S. Person" (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

US Non-Technical Jobs.

Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.