Space Robotics Software Engineer — Flight & Autonomy

Phenix Space (Neo ‘25); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Phenix Space is building the next generation in-space computing and robotics. We seek a software engineer to develop flight and embedded software that moves, senses, and decides in space-grade systems.

You will work across hardware, electronics, robotics, GNC, and simulation with the founders to ship capabilities that evolve orbit technology. You will own end-to-end features from requirements to flight deployment, focusing on real-time control, sensor fusion, and safe-state logic while

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in computer science, electrical, aerospace, or mechanical engineering or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years writing production software for physical systems (spacecraft/robots/vehicles).
• Strong C or C++ for real-time and safety-critical systems, plus Python.
• Experience with low-level communication protocols: EtherCAT, CAN, SPI, I2C, UART.
• Ability to reason about hardware-software interactions and ship code to hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop flight software for robot systems, including control, telemetry, fault management, and safe modes.
• Implement embedded software interfacing with hardware, drivers, HALs and real-time buses.
• Drive architecture and end-to-end features from requirements through hardware and flight.
• Test via simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, bench testing and flight trials with hardware teams.

Skills

C/C++ real-time

Python

Embedded firmware

RTOS

EtherCAT

CAN bus

SPI/I2C/UART

Systems thinking

US Person

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Aerospace/Mechatronics

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

EtherCAT

CAN

SPI

I2C

UART

Job description

Phenix Space is building the next generation in-space computing and robotics. We seek a software engineer to develop flight and embedded software that moves, senses, and decides in space-grade systems.

You will work across hardware, electronics, robotics, GNC, and simulation with the founders to ship capabilities that evolve orbit technology. You will own end-to-end features from requirements to flight deployment, focusing on real-time control, sensor fusion, and safe-state logic while