Lead 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 Lead Flight Software Engineer will serve as the technical leader for the development, integration, and validation of mission-critical software for Space Kinetic’s electromechanical spacecraft systems. You will own low-level and high-level software from initial architecture and requirements through qualification, flight operations, and on-orbit maintenance. This role requires deep experience with embedded real-time systems, software reliability, and spacecraft operations, along with the ability to lead a team in a fast-paced prototyping environment with an aggressive path to flight. Job Responsibilities: Lead flight software architecture and development for spacecraft control, autonomy, communications, telemetry, command, GNC interfaces, fault management, and safety systems. Define software requirements, interfaces, development roadmaps, and verification strategies in partnership with systems, electrical, GNC, test, and mission engineering teams. Develop reliable, deterministic, and fault-tolerant software using C/C++ or Rust in RTOS, bare-metal, or embedded Linux environments. Lead software and code reviews, integration, testing, and qualification activities in alignment with applicable spaceflight and mission-assurance standards. Support simulation, spacecraft-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and ground-software integration environments. Mentor software engineers, establish coding and design standards, and improve development tools, processes, and best practices. Support mission-readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, flight operations, and on-orbit software updates. What It Takes: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. 5 to 10 years of experience developing embedded or real-time software for space, aerospace, robotics, or other mission-critical systems. Experience leading software development across the full system lifecycle, from requirements and architecture through integration, qualification, and operations. Strong proficiency in C/C++, with experience using Python or similar scripting languages for automation and testing. Experience with RTOS, bare-metal programming, or Linux-based embedded systems. Strong understanding of deterministic timing, concurrency, fault tolerance, software reliability, 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 $220,000 — $275,000 USD