Lead Flight Software Engineer

NewOrbit
Reading
Workplace: HybridFull timeFunction: Software EngineeringSkills: ["Communication","Problem-solving","Teamwork"]

We are seeking a Flight Software Engineer to own and develop the spacecraft’s real-time software stack. You will implement and test production-grade embedded software in C/C++ and/or Rust on RTOS or Embedded Linux, integrate subsystems, and enable autonomous, fault-tolerant onboard operations from simulation to launch and on-orbit performance.

Loading

Loading job details...

Preparing the role view and application actions.

FursaFursa
NewOrbit
NewOrbit
8 months ago

Lead Flight Software Engineer

✓ Verified Job

Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 6 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

We are seeking a Flight Software Engineer to own and develop the spacecraft’s real-time software stack. You will implement and test production-grade embedded software in C/C++ and/or Rust on RTOS or Embedded Linux, integrate subsystems, and enable autonomous, fault-tolerant onboard operations from simulation to launch and on-orbit performance.
Location: Reading
Workplace: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full time · Permanent
Job Function: Software Engineering

Key Responsibilities

  • •Own the onboard flight-software stack – design, implement and test real-time Rust/C/C++ on RTOS or Embedded Linux.
  • •Integrate subsystems end-to-end – define ICDs and build drivers/middleware over I2C/SPI/UART/CAN(-FD)/SpaceWire (as applicable).
  • •Build spacecraft behaviors & autonomy – implement mode management, sequencing, and autonomous FDIR for safe and productive operations.
  • •Deliver reliable real-time performance – manage concurrency, timing, CPU/memory budgets, and observability under tight constraints.
  • •Build verification infrastructure – prototypes, SIL/HIL test harnesses, simulations, and telemetry analysis tooling to validate designs early.
  • •Ship code from review to orbit – push through CI/CD, support integration and launch ops, and deliver secure over-the-air updates.
  • •Work across disciplines – collaborate with avionics, AOCS, comms and mission teams to trade compute, power, thermal, storage and link budgets.

Pay and Benefits

Perks:Hybrid WorkHealth InsuranceRelocationVisa Sponsorship

Key Requirements

  • •Proven experience in building production embedded or real-time systems in C/C++ and/or Rust on RTOS or Embedded Linux for space systems.
  • •Strong grasp of real-time software: scheduling, interrupts, concurrency primitives, determinism, and designing for constrained CPU/memory.
  • •Proven ability to build reliable, testable systems: unit/integration testing, simulation-first development, HIL validation, and disciplined debugging.
  • •Hands-on experience integrating with hardware via common interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN(-FD), GPIO, etc.) and practical lab debugging.
  • •Solid software engineering fundamentals: architecture, code review, static analysis, CI/CD, configuration management, and observability/logging.
Experience:SpaceEmbeddedReal-timeAerospaceRTOS
Skills:CommunicationProblem-solvingTeamwork
Tech Stack:RustCC++RTOSEmbedded LinuxI2CSPIUARTCANSpaceCI/CDObservabilityDeadlinesFlight softwareSILHIL

Company Brief

NewOrbit
Develops and builds satellites and air-breathing electric propulsion systems to operate in ultra-low Earth orbits (180–250 km), enabling higher-resolution imagery, faster connectivity and sustainable debris-free missions.
Industry: Space Technology
Company Size: Small (11 to 50 employees)
Growth: Early Stage Startup
Funding: Seed
Headquarters: Reading, United Kingdom
Founded: 2021
Glassdoor
Glassdoor: 5.0
WebsiteLinkedInGlassdoor