True Anomaly
Principal Flight Software Engineer
2mo ago
USALeadembedded softwaresoftware architectureflight softwareon-board computers
Principal Flight Software Engineer responsible for architecture, development, and leadership of spacecraft flight software.
Responsibilities
- Own the architecture and technical direction of flight software for space missions, including on-board computers, processing units, and associated systems
- Lead the design and development of robust, safety-critical embedded software with a focus on long-term maintainability and mission reliability
- Drive integration of complex GNC algorithms with flight software, collaborating closely with the GNC team to ensure correctness and performance
- Define and maintain the Command Telemetry Database (CTDB) architecture to support ground and on-orbit test and operations
- Establish and enforce software engineering standards including coding practices, design patterns, and verification and validation approaches
- Partner with the ground C2 software team to align interfaces, data flows, and operational concepts across the full system
- Architect and lead development of HITL and SITL simulation environments for subsystem and full-vehicle testing
- Design and own reusable device driver and communications protocol libraries across flight hardware platforms
- Serve as a key technical voice in design reviews, architecture discussions, and cross-functional planning
- BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field
- 15+ years of experience with embedded systems, low-level firmware architecture, and safety-critical software
- Demonstrated ownership of FSW architecture on delivered space or safety-critical programs
- Deep expertise in low-level device driver development and real-time embedded systems
- Hands-on experience with embedded RTOS platforms such as RTLinux or Azure RTOS
- Strong command of communication protocols including Ethernet, SPI, I2C, CAN, RS422, and RS485
- Expert-level proficiency in C/C++; proficiency in Python
- Ability to maintain or obtain TS/SCI clearance
- PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field
- 15+ years of FSW development experience with direct contributions to on-orbit missions
- Proven ability to define and uphold engineering standards across a software organization
- Experience leading architecture reviews and driving technical decisions across multidisciplinary teams
- Familiarity with embedded Linux and networking protocols including UDP and TCP/IP
- Fluency with embedded systems toolchains, compilers, debuggers, and IDEs
- Experience with microcontrollers, application processors, and revision control systems at scale
- Advanced debugging skills using instrumentation such as oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers
- Background in robotics, automation, motor control, or sensor fusion
Requirements
- Work Location —This is an onsite role, we are seeking candidates based near Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA.
- Work environment —the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
- Physical demands —the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.
- This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Onsite
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
- True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.
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Conditions
- Base Salary: $180,000 - $305,000
- Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave
- Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.
Other
- Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.
- OUR MISSION
- True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.
- OUR VALUES
- Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
- What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
- It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.
- YOUR MISSION As a Principal Flight Software Engineer at True Anomaly, you will serve as a technical authority across the full spacecraft software stack, shaping architecture decisions, setting engineering standards, and driving the development of flight software from concept through on-orbit operations. You will own hard problems, influence program-level direction, and raise the technical bar for the team around you. If you are looking for a role where your decisions have real consequences in space, this is it.