Flight Software Engineer
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Summary
Develops and owns flight-critical embedded software for ispace's lunar landers — writing production C within NASA's cFS framework, building real-time and embedded Linux (PREEMPT-RT) systems, hardware interfaces, and telemetry/command handling, plus owning the CI/CD pipeline and occasionally supporting live spacecraft operations.
At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.
With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.
Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.
We are seeking a Flight Software Engineer to join our mission operations team in a role focused on developing high reliability embedded software systems for spacecraft flight operations. This position is central to ensuring mission success through robust flight software development, real-time system implementation, and hardware interface integration.
You will be an integral member of the flight software team working across embedded software development, telemetry and command systems, and CI/CD pipeline implementation—while contributing to flight-critical software applications that enable safe and efficient lunar mission execution.
Key Responsibilities
- End to end ownership of FSW subsystem – from requirements through verification and real time operations
- Architect, develop and maintain production-quality C code for embedded spacecraft flight software applications within the NASA cFS framework, implementing rigorous unit-level testing to ensure reliability of flight-critical systems.
- Design and implement real-time software systems for spacecraft operations, including command processing, telemetry generation, and hardware interface integration in memory-constrained environments.
- Work with embedded Linux systems (PREEMPT-RT), managing device trees, interrupt handling, scheduling, and system initialization to support high-reliability spacecraft operations.
- Own CI/CD pipeline development and maintenance, ensuring continuous integration and deployment of flight software with generated verification products.
- Collaborate with international engineering teams in Japan, Luxembourg and the U.S.
- Develop and maintain FSW operations procedures, technical documentation, and interface control documents to ensure operational readiness and mission assurance throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Support spacecraft operations as needed, monitoring telemetry, analyzing system performance, and providing flight software expertise during mission-critical phases.
- Work with vendors and internal stakeholders, clearly communicating technical requirements, progress and issues to both technical and non-technical audiences
Basic Qualifications
- 5+ years of working experience
- Proficiency in C for embedded applications with experience in high-reliability embedded software systems; direct experience with spacecraft flight software is ideal
- Experience with Python or similar scripting languages
- Proficiency with Git version control
- Working knowledge of Linux environments
- Experience with real-time system development and hardware interface integration
- Knowledge of software application design and implementation lifecycle, including initialization, command processing, telemetry generation, and unit-level testing
- Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and generated verification products
What Will Make You Stand Out
- Experience with embedded Linux systems including PREEMPT-RT Linux, scheduling, device tree configuration, and interrupt management
- Experience with Yocto and/or U-Boot development for embedded system setup
- Experience with Docker containerization
- Familiarity with NASA's Core Flight System (cFS) framework
- Familiarity with CCSDS protocols (TC/TM, CFDP, Space Packet Protocol) for space systems
- Experience with RTOS concepts including tasking, scheduling, and resource management
- Experience in telemetry and command management system design and implementation
- Experience with image processing protocols
- Experience working with memory-constrained environments and serial communication protocols
At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every listed requirement. If you’re passionate about our mission and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR .here.
ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.
ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.
ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.
Skills
As published by lever · 4 questions · 1 written answer
Basics
Resume/CV, Full name, Pronouns, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website, I identify my ethnicity asSelect all that apply, What gender do you identify as?, Veteran/Military Service Status
Short answers (1)
- Is there an ispace crewmember we can thank for referring you to this opportunity? optional
Pick from a list (2)
- Are you within a commutable distance or willing to relocate?
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States as per the below ITAR requirements? To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Written answers (1)
- Please provide 2 professional references that we may contact. These ideally would be individuals that were in a supervisory role or worked closely with you that can speak in detail of your history. optional