The Lead Avionics Software Engineer role focuses on steering the architecture, development, and delivery of onboard flight software across ThinkOrbital's aerospace programs. The position requires close collaboration with systems, hardware, and program teams to design, build, and verify software from concept through deployment in an onsite Boulder, Colorado setting.
Position Summary
As the lead for avionics software, you will own the software architecture and oversee technical decisions across multiple aerospace programs. You will guide development from concept to integration, ensuring reliable onboard software that meets mission requirements and scales with future needs.
Responsibilities
- Own onboard software architecture and technical decisions across aerospace programs, aligning with mission objectives, system requirements, and long-term scalability
- Design and maintain embedded Linux based flight software in C++, delivering robust capabilities from concept through deployment
- Collaborate with systems, hardware, and program teams to define, refine, and manage software requirements, including derived requirements and verification strategies
- Lead development of low-level drivers and hardware interfaces to enable seamless integration across avionics, payloads, and supporting subsystems
- Drive software quality through unit, integration, and system-level tests to support verification and validation efforts
- Support hardware bring-up, system integration, debugging, and validation across lab and flight environments
- Participate in full software lifecycle activities, including architecture definition, development, integration, test, deployment, and on-orbit support
- Contribute to software development processes, standards, and best practices, including code reviews, documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives
Requirements
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 7+ years of experience developing embedded or hardware-integrated software systems
- Must be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder
- Strong proficiency in C/C++ and embedded Linux development
- Experience owning software architecture and delivering systems from concept through integration, test, and deployment
- Hands-on experience interfacing with hardware (Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART) and debugging system-level issues
- Solid understanding of software architecture principles for embedded or distributed systems
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and align across cross-functional teams
- Experience in aerospace or other high-reliability environments is preferred
Technologies
- C++
- C
- Embedded Linux
- Ethernet
- SPI
- I2C
- UART
- GoogleTest
- Git
Benefits
- Competitive benefits and stock options
- Health, Vision and Dental Insurance
- Opportunity to shape next-generation space systems
- A small, fast-moving team where your impact is tangible
- Flexible schedule
Salary and Compensation
Salary range: USD 130,000 - 170,000 per year, depending on experience.
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Boulder, Colorado (onsite)
Work Location
In person
About ThinkOrbital
ThinkOrbital develops breakthrough technologies to defend, service, and build in space. From autonomous in-orbit welding to long-range X-ray imaging for space domain awareness and infrastructure inspection, the team is advancing capabilities at the edge of space. The company brings together engineers, scientists, and operators who thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
