Senior Software Engineer

About The Role

You will be responsible for the development and verification of software used to fly some of the largest spacecraft ever flown. You will write mission‑critical code that controls propulsion, attitude control, and power systems to ensure safe and reliable operation of the vehicle. In your first six months you will develop core pieces of the software architecture, including fault tolerance strategies, real‑time control, and telemetry downlink.

In your first year you will implement larger systems and begin verifying your code using software and hardware in the loop simulators. In your first two years you will operate your code on multiple spacecraft, demonstrating robust performance in demanding missions.

• Create software architecture for real‑time, fault‑tolerant control of a 20kW+ spacecraft
• Develop software applications for control of spacecraft subsystems, including propulsion, guidance/attitude control, thermal, power, and communications systems
• Design and implement state machines for robust operation of the spacecraft
• Create and utilize robust tools to allow for rapid deployment of quality code
• Perform data analysis and anomaly investigation to identify and resolve software bugs
• Support integration and testing of the spacecraft subsystems
• Build and maintain infrastructure to increase reliability when developing and testing software

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or a STEM discipline or 5+ years of professional experience in software engineering
• Development experience in Rust, C/C++, Python, VHDL, System Verilog

• Experience with spacecraft flight software development
• Fluency with Linux systems programming and driver development
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery systems
• Experience building or working with hard real‑time embedded systems (bare‑metal or RTOS)
• Basic knowledge of electronics, computer architecture, and control systems
• Experience developing or working with state machines
• Experience with software verification and testing methods
• Experience with software and network performance analysis and debugging
• Experience with implementing Extended Kalman Filters for inertial sensors
• Experience with fault tolerant software design and implementation
• Experience defining and creating test systems for both hardware‑in‑the‑loop and hardware‑out‑of‑the‑loop

• Base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.