Lead Flight Software Engineer at Space Kinetic Corp.

El Segundo, CaliforniaFull-timeWhirlwind Development Team - Software EngineeringPosted 5 months ago

About the Role

<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-contrast="none">A New Paradigm For Space Operations.</span></span></strong></p> <div><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Who We Are:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559737":-360,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div> <div> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> </div> <div> <p><strong>What You’ll Do:</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">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.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Job Responsibilities:</strong></p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Lead flight software architecture and development for spacecraft control, autonomy, communications, telemetry, command, GNC interfaces, fault management, and safety systems.</li> <li>Define software requirements, interfaces, development roadmaps, and verification strategies in partnership with systems, electrical, GNC, test, and mission engineering teams.</li> <li>Develop reliable, deterministic, and fault-tolerant software using C/C++ or Rust in RTOS, bare-metal, or embedded Linux environments.</li> <li>Lead software and code reviews, integration, testing, and qualification activities in alignment with applicable spaceflight and mission-assurance standards.</li> <li>Support simulation, spacecraft-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and ground-software integration environments.</li> <li>Mentor software engineers, establish coding and design standards, and improve development tools, processes, and best practices.</li> <li>Support mission-readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, flight operations, and on-orbit software updates.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What It Takes:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.</li> <li>5 to 10 years of experience developing embedded or real-time software for space, aerospace, robotics, or other mission-critical systems.</li> <li>Experience leading software development across the full system lifecycle, from requirements and architecture through integration, qualification, and operations.</li> <li>Strong proficiency in C/C++, with experience using Python or similar scripting languages for automation and testing.</li> <li>Experience with RTOS, bare-metal programming, or Linux-based embedded systems.</li> <li>Strong understanding of deterministic timing, concurrency, fault tolerance, software reliability, and resource management in constrained environments.</li> <li>Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What We’d Love:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience with flight software frameworks such as NASA cFS, F´, or custom architectures.</li> <li>Familiarity with model-based systems engineering and interface control documentation.</li> <li>Knowledge of spacecraft communication protocols such as CCSDS, SpaceWire, or MIL-STD-1553.</li> </ul> </div> <div><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Where You’ll Be:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div> <div> <ul> <li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Noto Sans Symbols" data-listid="6" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Noto Sans Symbols","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"●","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div><strong><span data-contrast="auto">What We Offer: </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div> <ul> <li>Equity-Based Compensation</li> <li>401(k) retirement plan with a 3.5% company match</li> <li>Highly Competitive PTO</li> <li>Paid company holidays + winter break </li> <li>Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance</li> <li>Unique Performance-based bonus opportunities</li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">ITAR Requirements: </span></strong> <br><span data-contrast="auto">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 </span><a href="https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public/ddtc_public?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987"><span data-contrast="auto">here</span></a><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559738":280,"335559739":280,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Equal Employment Opportunity:</span></strong> <br><span data-contrast="auto">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</span> <span data-contrast="auto">or any other legally protected status.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559738":280,"335559739":280,"335559740":240}"> </span></p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">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.  </span></p></div><div class="title">Pay Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$220,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$275,000 USD</span></div></div></div>

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