Spacecraft Avionics Lead Engineer

Spacecraft Avionics Lead Engineer

San Francisco Bay Area

A pioneering space company developing next-gen orbital mobility solutions is hiring an Avionics and Software Lead to own the full stack of spacecraft avionics and flight software for a new Spacecraft Development.

This is a rare opportunity to architect, build, and validate a complete flight system from scratch, working on cutting‑edge propulsion‑enabled platforms designed for responsive orbital manoeuvring.

In this role, you'll define the avionics architecture, lead integration of radiation‑tolerant electronics, and drive flight software development—including GNC algorithms, EPS design, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing. You’ll collaborate closely with cross‑functional engineering leads to ensure spacecraft safety, autonomy, and reliability from concept through CDR.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone excited by the challenge of building high‑performance spaceflight systems in a rapid development environment.

• Own the full avionics and flight software architecture through critical design review (CDR)
• Select and integrate COTS radiation‑tolerant components for power, compute, and data handling
• Lead development of flight and ground software (telemetry, real‑time control, fault management)
• Define and implement guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms
• Design electrical power systems (EPS), data bus architecture, and flight harnessing
• Build and operate a flat‑sat HIL testbed for integration and validation
• Develop ICDs and maintain firmware / software configuration processes
• Support subsystem integration and testing campaigns
• Conduct FMEA and reliability analyses
• Lead subsystem design reviews and contribute to broader mission engineering milestones

• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, electrical engineering, or similar
• 8+ years of experience developing avionics or flight software for spacecraft or other high‑reliability systems
• Strong background in embedded systems, spacecraft autonomy, or GNC
• Proficiency in C/C++ or Rust;
  Python for scripting / testing
• Experience with radiation‑hardened processors and electronics (Microchip, Xilinx, etc.)
• Familiarity with CAN, Space Wire, RS‑422, and other bus protocols
• HIL integration experience and knowledge of EMI/EMC and power distribution design principles
• U.S. Person (citizenship or permanent residency) required

• Autonomy frameworks or fault‑tolerant flight software
• Space‑rated EPS or battery management systems
• Responsive space operations or in‑space logistics
• Previous experience in a startup or fast‑paced R&D environment