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Flight Software Engineer Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

X-Bow Systems is looking to fill a Lead Embedded Flight Software Engineer position to own the flight software effort for X-Bow's family of solid propellant launch vehicles from initial concept and ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

$116K - $154K/yr

Description Thompson Software Solutions is seeking a Sr. Software Engineer to support the development of embedded flight software capabilities for an advanced missile platform. This role offers the ...

Senior Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL ยท On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

The candidate will join a team of embedded software developers who work as a team to create high quality flight software board support packages for new flight computers. The team works together daily ...

Software Engineer This role is ideal for a early-career software engineer who has worked with PX4 ... You will contribute to the development, integration, and testing of flight software while ...

New

Position Information Position Title Software Engineer Status Full Time Job Summary NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is seeking a talented and driven Software Engineer to support cutting-edge ...

Position Summary We are seeking a Junior Software Engineer with hands-on experience in PX4-based flight control systems to join our growing UAS development team. You will contribute to the design ...

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Flight Software Engineer information

See Alabama salary details

$32

$48

$68

How much do flight software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight software engineer in Alabama is $48.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.72 and $53.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Flight Software Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Software Engineer, you need strong expertise in computer science, embedded systems, and control theory, usually supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Experience with C/C++, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and aerospace industry standards like DO-178C is highly valued, along with certifications in safety-critical software development. Exceptional problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities set top candidates apart. These skills ensure software reliability, mission success, and seamless collaboration in safety-critical aerospace environments.

What does a Flight Software Engineer do?

A Flight Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software that controls and monitors spacecraft, satellites, or aerospace vehicles. They ensure the software meets strict performance, reliability, and safety requirements for missions. This includes writing real-time code, integrating with hardware, debugging issues, and optimizing systems for efficiency. They work closely with hardware engineers, systems engineers, and mission operators to ensure seamless functionality.

What are some typical challenges faced by Flight Software Engineers, and how do they overcome them?

Flight Software Engineers often face challenges such as developing software for safety-critical systems with strict reliability and performance requirements, as well as troubleshooting issues in complex avionics environments. They regularly work under tight deadlines and must rigorously test and validate code to meet aerospace certification standards. Overcoming these challenges involves thorough documentation, close collaboration with hardware and systems engineers, and a commitment to continuous learning about evolving technologies. Employers value engineers who can adapt quickly, employ systematic debugging, and communicate effectively within interdisciplinary teams.

What are popular job titles related to Flight Software Engineer jobs in Alabama? For Flight Software Engineer jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Space Flight Software Engineer

Space Flight Software Engineer

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

Huntsville, AL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled Space Flight Software Engineer to join the team in Huntsville, Alabama.
Join a forward-reaching program supporting critical defense-related satellite systems by leveraging your expertise as a Weapon System/Interceptor and or Space Systems Flight Software Engineer. In this role, you will play a key part in assessing, validating, and recommending vendor-proposed software solutions for weapon system and or satellites to ensure compliance with program requirements, mission objectives, and industry standards. This unique role emphasizes technical evaluation rather than development, making it ideal for an engineer with strong analytical skills and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
Key Responsibilities:
Vendor Solution Assessment:
  • Evaluate proposed weapon system or satellite flight software solutions for compliance with technical, performance, and safety requirements.
  • Validate architectural design choices in areas such as software reliability, scalability, and system integration capabilities.
  • Analyze the proposed software's compatibility with onboard hardware systems and operational environments, ensuring alignment with mission-specific needs.

Technical Analysis:
  • Review algorithms for satellite attitude control, power management, telemetry data processing, and payload operations to ensure mission performance.
  • Assess software robustness against space-based environmental challenges, including radiation effects, memory failures, and thermal extremes.
  • Evaluate the vendor's fault tolerance and error-handling mechanisms for critical satellite operations.

Documentation and Reporting:
  • Generate detailed technical documentation summarizing findings, including comparative performance analyses, risk assessments, and recommendations for vendor solution approval.
  • Prepare comprehensive test evaluation reports outlining identified issues and mitigation strategies for external and internal stakeholders.
  • Present technical evaluations and vendor compliance ratings to leadership teams, ensuring alignment with mission goals and industry best practices.

Validation and Verification:
  • Participate in vendor testing campaigns (e.g., simulation testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing) to independently verify stated software capabilities.
  • Evaluate test data for alignment with expected operational benchmarks, paying close attention to anomalies or discrepancies.

Collaborative Engagement:
  • Work with multidisciplinary teams, including hardware engineers, spacecraft systems analysts, and cybersecurity experts, to evaluate vendor-proposed solutions holistically.
  • Maintain regular communication with vendors to facilitate clarification of software designs and identify potential risks early.

Risk Management:
  • Identify software-related risks, such as reliability under space conditions, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, or integration complexities, and propose mitigation strategies.
  • Ensure all vendor-proposed software solutions align with DoD standards, requirements, and other applicable industry benchmarks.

Required Qualifications:
Technical Expertise:
  • Strong technical understanding of weapon system or satellite flight software principles, including real-time operating systems, embedded programming, and space-specific protocols.
  • Proficiency in analyzing systems designed for satellite navigation, telemetry, communications software, and payload command/control systems.
  • Familiarity with relevant standards such as NASA Software Safety Standards, IEEE Space Systems Standards, and DoD specifications for space systems.

Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
  • 8+ years of experience in space systems software evaluation, integration, or architecture development.
  • Demonstrated experience in vendor evaluation processes or cross-functional collaborations within defense or government-level programs is highly desirable.

Security Clearance:
  • Active Secret Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility is required.

Skills and Competencies:
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey complex technical evaluations to diverse stakeholders.
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment requires multitasking under tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Practical knowledge of space environment impacts software reliability, including radiation and thermal factors.
  • Familiarity with software failure modes and impacts in mission-critical satellite operations.

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