Software Systems Engineer – Space Systems

Software Systems Engineer – Space Systems

Location: Lanham, MD / Washington DC Area – Hybrid

Salary: Up to $135,000 + significant RSU/equity package

A fast-growing space technology company building a next-generation satellite communications network is looking for a Software Systems Engineer to sit at the intersection of its Flight Software, Ground Software, GNC, Avionics and Data teams.

This isn't a traditional embedded software development role. You'll help ensure multiple software systems and engineering teams come together correctly — owning software requirements, interfaces, integration, verification and delivery processes across a complex spacecraft programme.

• Own and manage software/system requirements, including traceability, verification and change management.
• Use requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS, Jama or Jazz.
• Define and manage interfaces between Flight Software, Ground Software, GNC, Avionics, Data and hardware teams.
• Translate system-level requirements into actionable software requirements and ensure they are correctly implemented and verified.
• Support software integration, test and verification across multiple subsystems.
• Work closely with embedded software teams developing in C/C++, Python and Linux/RTOS environments.
• Drive strong software engineering processes around Git/Git Lab, Jira, code reviews, testing, configuration management and CI/CD.
• Take an active role within Agile development teams, helping run Scrum ceremonies, sprint planning, backlog management and cross-team delivery.
• Coordinate technical dependencies, remove blockers and ensure software teams remain aligned through development, integration and test.

• Strong experience within software systems engineering, embedded software or software integration.
• Hands-on experience with DOORS, Jama or Jazz for requirements management.
• Strong understanding of requirements definition, decomposition, traceability and verification.
• Experience acting as a Scrum Master, Product Owner, technical lead or similar coordination role within an Agile engineering environment.
• Working knowledge of C or C++, Python and Linux.
• Experience with Git/Git Lab and Jira.
• Understanding of embedded systems and RTOS environments.
• Experience integrating software across multiple systems, teams or hardware interfaces.
• Strong communication skills — comfortable working between highly technical teams and driving issues through to resolution.

Experience with in spacecraft, satellites, aerospace, defence, avionics, radar, autonomous systems or other complex mission-critical embedded systems would translate particularly well.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys being at the centre of a complex software programme — still technically close to the software, but with broader ownership of requirements, interfaces, integration and how multiple engineering teams deliver together.