Principal Software Engineer Flight Software

Principal Software Engineer (Contract) – Flight SW & SW I&T

Responsible for contributing to the development and testing of the customer's U.S. satellite flight software, mission concept development, in‑house modeling and simulation capabilities, and proposal writing. Also provides autonomous support of complex assignments under the leadership of the Software Team Lead and Software Engineering Manager. The role emphasizes 60% flight software, 30% software integration and test, and 10% additional responsibilities.

• Contribute to the development of new satellite flight software for U.S. satellite platforms
• Support development and integration of GNC algorithms
• Support development and modification of flight software hosted on new flight computer designs
• Develop in‑house tools to analyze flight software performance and assess its compatibility with new missions and conops
• Develop and execute flight software verification and validation tests at the unit, module, subsystem, and platform level

• Develop and execute FSW verifications tests using both proprietary satellite digital twin software and a Hardware in the Loop (HIL) Flat Sat
• Establish and document test methodologies and descriptions to test compliance with customer‑based requirements
• Develop and implement software and tools for ground support equipment to test and validate flight software
• Contribute to document management, including versioning, bug reporting, and test plan documentation
• Oversee and conduct official validation tests

• Support working groups, both internal and with customers and/or vendors
• Support proposal writing, new business
• Assess the software impacts of new hardware, conops, and missions

• Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas
• Preferred:
  Master's in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas

• A minimum of 15 years with a Bachelor's degree, or 12 years with a Master's degree
• Proven track‑record of working with space hardware and/or flight software systems, from conceptual designs to operations

• Insatiable curiosity and a demonstrated ability to learn and work independently
• Proficiency in C/C++
• Expertise in one or more of the following:
  • GNC algorithms design, analysis, testing, and implementation
  • New device bring‑up
  • BSP implementation
  • Embedded software development and testing
  • Cybersecurity
  • Device driver development and testing of software/hardware interfaces
  • Real‑time operating systems programming, debugging, and testing
  • Functional validation of embedded software on hardware
  • Software safety assurance
  • Network topology and configuration
  • Simulators: numerical, emulator, and hardware in the loop
  • Software requirements and configuration management

• Periodic travel (less than 20%) to U.S. facilities or partner companies
• Occasional international travel to collaborate with European counterparts
• U.S. citizenship is required

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance
• Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable

• Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms
• Equipment Operation: able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment
• Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40 lbs/9 kg
• Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40 lbs/9 kg
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves
• Standing: able to stand for long periods of time
• Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces

$150 K‑$220 K; the actual salary offered depends on location and candidate qualifications.

Due to the nature of the work, only U.S.…