Embedded Flight Software Engineer

Embedded Flight Software Engineer
Oxfordshire, UK | Hybrid (2 days onsite)
Industry: Space Systems, Flight Software, Onboard Control

A UK-based space company is looking for an Embedded Flight Software Engineer to join their team working on real‑time software systems that fly on satellites. This is hands‑on development for actual space missions – the software you write will control hardware in orbit.

You’ll be part of a collaborative team responsible for building embedded software that runs on spacecraft onboard computers. Expect a mix of low‑level C/C++, interfacing with hardware, real‑time operating systems, and system‑level testing.

This role sits in the Flight Software group and plays a key part in upcoming multi‑satellite missions.

• Design, develop, and test embedded flight software for space missions
• Build and integrate low‑level code for onboard computers and sensors
• Work closely with systems and hardware teams to align software with mission needs
• Write and maintain interface control documents and test plans
• Debug and validate code on hardware and in simulation
• Take part in mission simulations and flight software verification

• Strong experience in C/C++ for embedded systems
• Familiarity with real‑time operating systems (e.g. VxWorks, RTEMS)
• Comfortable working with hardware interfaces and device drivers
• Hands‑on experience with software debugging and testing on target systems
• Solid understanding of embedded software engineering principles
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in software, computer science, or engineering

• Experience with Vx Works ,
  NASA cFS
  , or PowerPC
• Familiarity with CCSDS
  , CAN
  , Space Wire
  , or other space comms protocols
• Knowledge of ECSS standards or MISRA guidelines
• Background in space systems, satellite control, or mission operations
• Exposure to Python
  , Linux tools, or embedded scripting

• Your software will fly on satellites being launched into orbit
• You’ll work at the core of a mission, directly contributing to spacecraft control
• The work is deeply technical and hands‑on, not just specs and docs
• The team is small, skilled, and mission‑focused
• Hybrid setup with time in the lab and time to code without distractions