About this opportunity
Astro Digital lists this Principal Flight Software Engineer opportunity in littleton, Colorado. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
About Astro Digital
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Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado with 100+ employees and infrastructure around the globe.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Flight Software Engineer to join our team developing mission-critical software for satellite systems. In this role, you will serve as both a senior individual contributor and technical leader for the development of spacecraft flight software. You will be responsible for architecting, designing, implementing, validating, and sustaining mission-critical application software that operates onboard spacecraft throughout all phases of a mission lifecycle. This individual will provide technical leadership across multiple programs, influence engineering strategy, mentor team members, and establish software development best practices while remaining hands-on with system architecture, code development, and integration.
We offer a hybrid schedule that blends in-person collaboration from either our Littleton, CO or San Jose, CA facility, and remote flexibility.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
Design, develop, test, and deploy flight software for spacecraft and hosted payloads including for command and telemetry processing, power control, thermal management, communications, fault management, onboard autonomy, mission sequencing, and payload operations
Implement software using modern C++ for real-time, multi-threaded Linux applications
Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft flight software architecture, design, implementation, and validation
Establish software development standards, coding guidelines, verification processes, and engineering best practices
Mentor and develop flight software engineers, fostering technical excellence and engineering rigor
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
14+ years of experience in spacecraft flight software development
Strong understanding of real-time, multi-threaded systems and hardware/software integration
Expert-level proficiency with modern C++ (version 17 or later)
Expert knowledge of communication standards and protocols (e.g. RS422/485, TCP, UDP, SLIP, CCSDS)
Experience with Linux device drivers and board support packages
Experience with software development lifecycle, configuration management, and version control tools (e.g., Git)
Strong communication and organizational skills
Work out of the Denver area or San Jose area
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with a variety of flight software frameworks
Experience with ASI's MAX Flight Software
Experience with spacecraft operations
Experience leading technical teams
Pay Transparency
Astro Digital employees are provided with a comprehensive benefits package that includes company stock options, healthcare, 401k retirement plan, and PTO. The range of possible compensation for this role is $170k-$230k annually, depending on candidate experience, alignment, and location.
Physical Demands
This position requires the ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 20 Lbs. Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching may be required.
Export Statement
This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. xhqgsiq U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 22 CFR §120.15 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.
Worksite address
littleton, CO, 80161, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.