Flight Software Engineer

A New Paradigm For Space Operations. Who We Are: Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster. This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space. What You’ll Do: The Flight Software Engineer will design, develop, test, and maintain the software that controls Space Kinetic’s spacecraft. You will work across the full software lifecycle and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver reliable, mission-critical software for operation in space. Job Responsibilities: Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded flight software for spacecraft control and operations. Integrate and validate software in simulation, flight-replica, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight environments. Partner with systems, electrical, GNC, test, and mission engineering teams to define software requirements, interfaces, and designs. Support spacecraft commissioning, flight operations, anomaly resolution, and software updates following launch. What It Takes: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. 2 to 3 years of experience developing embedded or real-time software for space, aerospace, robotics, or other mission-critical systems. Understanding of the software-development lifecycle, from requirements and design through integration, testing, and operations. Working proficiency in C/C++, with knowledge of Python or similar scripting languages for automation and testing. Familiarity with RTOS, bare-metal programming, or Linux-based embedded systems. Understanding of software reliability, deterministic timing, concurrency, and resource management in constrained environments. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. What We’d Love: Experience with flight software frameworks such as NASA cFS, F´, or custom architectures. Familiarity with model-based systems engineering and interface-control documentation. Knowledge of spacecraft communication protocols such as CCSDS, SpaceWire, or MIL-STD-1553. Where You’ll Be: The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year). What We Offer: Equity-Based Compensation 401(k) retirement plan with a 3.5% company match Highly Competitive PTO Paid company holidays + winter break Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance Unique Performance-based bonus opportunities ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here 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. The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.  Pay Range $120,000 — $150,000 USD