Lead Flight Software Engineer

Space Kinetic is seeking a Lead Flight Software Engineer to oversee the design, development, and technical leadership of flight software across all development phases. The role focuses on embedded real-time systems for spacecraft control, autonomy, and safety, with onsite work in El Segundo, California.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of Space Kinetic flight software architecture, covering guidance, navigation, and control, telemetry, command, and fault management systems.
• Define software requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies in collaboration with systems, electrical, and mission engineering teams.
• Develop robust, real-time, fault-tolerant software using C/C++ and/or Rust for embedded or RTOS environments.
• Conduct software design reviews, code reviews, and verification activities to ensure safety, reliability, and performance alignment with space flight standards (NASA NPR, ECSS, DO-178C).
• Provide technical leadership, mentor software engineers, enforce code quality, and oversee system-level integration.
• Support spacecraft-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight simulation testing environments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of software development processes, tools, and best practices across the engineering organization.
• Participate in mission readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, and on-orbit software updates and maintenance.
• Leverage experience with simulation environments and ground software integration.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, collaboration, and communication across multidisciplinary teams.
• Apply problem-solving and technical judgment under mission-critical constraints to advance space technologies.
• Support the advancement of space technologies and contribute to successful missions.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• 5 to 10 years of experience developing embedded or real-time software for space, aerospace, robotics, or mission-critical systems.
• Proven experience leading software development through all phases of the system lifecycle, from requirements to flight operations.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, with working knowledge of Python or scripting languages for automation and testing.
• Familiarity with RTOS, bare-metal programming, or Linux-based embedded systems.
• Deep understanding of software reliability, deterministic timing, concurrency, and resource management in constrained environments.
• U.S. citizen or national, or U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) to comply with export regulations.
• Applicants may be subject to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information; ability to maintain or obtain a Government Security Clearance is required.

Technologies

• C/C++
• Rust
• Python
• RTOS
• Linux
• NASA cFS
• F Prime
• CCSDS
• SpaceWire
• MIL-STD-1553

Compensation

Salary range: USD 220,000 - 275,000 per year.

Location and Travel

Onsite at the headquarters in El Segundo, California. Domestic travel may be required up to approximately 20 percent of the year.

Benefits

• Equity-Based Compensation
• Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
• Health and Wellness Stipend
• Commuter Benefits
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Equal Employment Opportunity

Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.