Staff Flight Software Engineer, Interplanetary Sciences Program

Relativity Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 181,000 - 271,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity

Generous paid time off

Annual learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space in Long Beach, California is hiring a Staff Flight Software Engineer for the Interplanetary Sciences Program. You will own the design, development, and deployment of critical flight software, enabling autonomous deep-space missions.

The ideal candidate has at least 7 years of experience in embedded systems and strong proficiency in C++. This role offers a competitive salary range of $181,000 — $271,000, along with generous benefits including equity and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience developing, testing, and delivering embedded or real-time flight software.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and solid understanding of memory management, concurrency, and embedded systems design.
• Experience with RTOS or Linux-based embedded development, software integration, and system-level testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test flight software for spacecraft command, control, and autonomy across all mission phases.
• Collaborate with avionics, GNC, propulsion, and mission operations teams to ensure software and hardware integration.
• Develop and execute verification and validation processes to ensure flight safety and mission success.

Skills

C++

Embedded Systems Design

Real-time Flight Software

Memory Management

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

RTOS

Linux-Based Embedded Development

Python

Rust

Job description

About the Team

The Interplanetary Sciences Program was established to expand access to scientific exploration across our solar system. Its mission is to make planetary research faster, more affordable, and more capable than ever before by rethinking how science missions are designed, built, and operated. The program aims to enable scientists to send instruments to distant worlds without decades of development or prohibitive costs. By creating a sustainable model for interplanetary exploration, we are transforming space science from an occasional event into a continuous process of discovery that accelerates knowledge, broadens participation, and inspires the next generation of explorers.

About the Role

As a Staff Flight Software Engineer within the Interplanetary Sciences Program at Relativity Space, you will take ownership of the design, development, and deployment of flight-critical software that governs how our spacecraft behaves and operates from concept through flight.

You will be responsible for building robust, reliable embedded software that enables autonomous deep-space missions and real-time spacecraft control. This role requires an engineer who thrives on full-system ownership, moves fluidly between architecture and implementation, and brings rigorous engineering discipline to every phase of development from requirements capture to operational flight support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test flight software for spacecraft command, control, and autonomy across all mission phases
• Own full lifecycle software development: requirements capture, architecture, design, implementation, integration, test, and flight operations support
• Collaborate with avionics, GNC, propulsion, and mission operations teams to ensure seamless integration between software and spacecraft hardware
• Develop and execute verification and validation (V&V) processes to ensure flight safety, reliability, and mission success
• Support on-vehicle and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, debugging, and mission simulations

About You

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of experience developing, testing, and delivering embedded or real-time flight software
• Strong proficiency in C++ and solid understanding of memory management, concurrency, and embedded systems design
• Experience with RTOS or Linux-based embedded development, software integration, and system-level testing
• Proven ability to scope open-ended problems, execute autonomously, and deliver high-quality, flight-ready software
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced team environment, demonstrating adaptability and problem-solving skills

Nice to haves but not required

• Experience developing software for spaceflight, launch vehicles, or planetary spacecraft
• Familiarity with deep-space communication protocols and autonomy frameworks
• Experience with Python or Rust for tooling, testing, or simulation support
• Background in hardware-in-the-loop testing, embedded networking, or fault-tolerant system design
• Knowledge of NASA or other aerospace software development and verification standards, applied in a modern new-space context

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. We offer competitive salary, equity, generous paid time off and sick leave, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more.

Salary range: $181,000 — $271,000 USD

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail].