Software System Engineer

The Exploration Company; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Exploration Company is seeking a Software System Engineer to support certification activities for the Nyx program's flight software. You will work on verification, validation, requirements tracing, test planning, and system engineering interfacing with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include contributing to V&V, managing requirements, preparing certification documentation, and applying standards in a fast-paced aerospace environment. Proficiency in C++ and Python is required.

Qualifications

• Experience with safety-critical or highly regulated software (aerospace preferred).
• Strong requirements management, V&V, and certification processes.
• Solid software engineering background with flight software frameworks and modern C++.
• Experience with real-time, embedded, or spacecraft software.
• Familiarity with testing methodologies and simulation tools.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to V&V and IV&V activities for flight software.
• Support requirements management and tracing from system to software artifacts.
• Prepare and review documentation for software certification and NASA safety reviews.
• Interpret, tailor, and apply formal standards.
• Interface with internal Product Assurance.
• Collaborate with system engineers and software teams to resolve issues.
• Develop and maintain software functional design baseline.
• Plan software testing of the integrated mission.
• Engage in design and testing discussions using C++ and Python.

Skills

C++

Python

V&V

Requirements tracing

Embedded systems

Real-time systems

System engineering

Model-based systems engineering

Aerospace familiarity

Tools

CI/CD systems

Build systems

Job description

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Software System Engineer to support the certification activities of the flight software for the Nyx program. You will work in a dedicated team focused on verification & validation, software certification, requirements tracing, test planning and system engineering interfacing. In this role, you will collaborate closely with software development teams, system engineering, certification bodies and safety authorities. You will work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment where cross‑functional integration is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to V&V and IV&V activities to ensure that flight software meets functional, performance, and safety requirements
• Support requirements management and tracing, ensuring full traceability from system‑level requirements to software implementation, test and verification artifacts
• Prepare and review documentation required for software certification and NASA Safety Reviews
• Interpret, tailor, and apply formal standards
• Interface with internal Product Assurance
• Collaborate daily with system engineers and software development teams to resolve technical issues and clarify requirements
• Develop and maintain software functional design baseline
• Plan software testing of the integrated mission
• Use your understanding of C++ and Python to meaningfully engage in software design and test discussions

What we would love to see from you

• Experience working on safety‑critical or highly regulated software systems (preferably in aerospace)
• Solid understanding of requirements management, V&V, test and certification processes
• Strong technical background in software engineering, with practical experience in flight software frameworks and modern C++
• Experience with real‑time systems, embedded development, or spacecraft software
• Familiarity with software testing methodologies and simulation tools
• Excellent cross‑disciplinary communication and collaboration skills
• Focus on detail, quality, and testing
• Familiarity with agile and modern development practices

Nice to have

• Familiarity with standards such as SSP 50808, NASA‑NPR‑7150.2, NASA‑STD‑8739.8B, RCC319, ECSS‑Q‑ST‑80C
• Prior work on human‑rated spaceflight programs
• Experience with model‑based system engineering
• Experience with CI/CD systems and build systems

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind
• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them
• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?

We’d love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.

The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful completion of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third‑party provider, to ensure this process is efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.