Space Vehicle Flight Software Systems Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional services firm supporting government and commercial space programs seeks a Space Vehicle Flight Software Systems Engineer to work with NASA on critical projects like crew vehicles for the ISS and lunar transport missions. This role requires deep technical expertise, collaboration with various engineering teams, and the ability to manage safety-critical software systems effectively. Candidates must possess strong communication skills, a passion for space exploration, and relevant engineering degrees.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion programs

Continuous improvement culture

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of relevant experience in software development or systems engineering.
• Experience in safety-critical real-time systems for aerospace or related industries.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Responsibilities

• Review and oversee flight software requirements and certification processes.
• Perform systems engineering including hazard analysis.
• Coordinate software issues and resolutions across programs.

Skills

Communication

Technical expertise

Customer relationship skills

Team-oriented attitude

Flexibility

Organizational skills

Education

B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science

M.S. in related fields

Tools

C/C++

Python

Job description

Space Vehicle Flight Software Systems Engineers work with NASA on its Commercial Spacecraft, including Commercial Crew Vehicles for transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS), Human Landing System Vehicle for lunar transport, and U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for ISS deorbit. This position involves oversight of human-rated flight software, including evaluation of concepts, requirements, design, architecture, code, verification, and certification, with an emphasis on software safety, process adherence, verification, and certification.

Focus areas include data network, fault management, mission sequencing, aborts, emergency responses, and redundancy management. Vehicle systems encompass crew systems, displays, avionics, command and data handling, environmental control and life support (ECLSS), power, propulsion, thermal, guidance, navigation, and control, communications, tracking, and docking.

The role requires collaboration with prime contractors, and the candidate should be self-motivated with strong communication skills, technical expertise, customer relationship skills, and a team-oriented attitude. The candidate must articulate complex technical ideas convincingly, share a passion for space exploration, and be excited about developing future human-rated space vehicles.

This position is based at NASA/JSC in Houston, TX, within a dynamic environment critical to human spaceflight and exploration initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Review and oversee flight software requirements, design, integration, verification, validation, and certification processes.
2. Perform systems engineering, including hazard analysis, across vehicle subsystems.
3. Coordinate software issues and resolutions across programs and teams.
4. Identify risks within flight software and guide contractors in corrective actions.
5. Evaluate software architecture, design, and implementation of prime contractors.
6. Oversee integration of flight software in test and verification facilities.
7. Interface with NASA and contractor engineering teams.
8. Contribute to Certification of Flight Readiness (COFR) development.
9. Support mission operations by monitoring and troubleshooting during spacecraft flights in the Mission Evaluation Room (MER).

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
• B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience in software development or systems engineering, preferably in safety-critical real-time systems for aerospace or related industries.
• 5-8 years of relevant experience, including internships.
• Flexible, open to challenges, with strong technical and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Responsible, team-oriented, with strong organizational skills.

Desired Skills/Knowledge:

• M.S. in related fields.
• Experience with full lifecycle safety-critical software development.
• Experience with flight software for human-rated space vehicles.
• Knowledge of vehicle systems such as avionics, command and telemetry, power, propulsion, thermal, ECLSS, guidance, navigation, and control.
• Familiarity with aerospace vehicle operations and development in C/C++ and Python.
• Project management skills and familiarity with NASA's Commercial Crew Vehicles.

LZT is a professional services firm supporting government and commercial space programs. We value diversity, innovation, and continuous improvement. Join us to make an impact in space exploration.

LZT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Minorities, Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.