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Flight Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Vast

Staff Flight Software Engineer

Long Beach, CA

Vast is looking for a Staff Flight Software Engineer , reporting to Senior Manager, Flight Software, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of ...

Astranis

Flight Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $175K/yr

Flight Software Engineer As our Flight Software Engineer, you will support the the development, execution, and implementation of the flight software that commands and monitors the spacecraft.

Hermeus

Senior Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Flight Software Engineer, you will work closely with our hardware and systems engineers to design, develop, and implement software for our cutting-edge aircraft systems. We are open to ...

Hermeus

Senior Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Flight Software Engineer, you will work closely with our hardware and systems engineers to design, develop, and implement software for our cutting-edge aircraft systems. We are open to ...

Hermeus

Senior Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Flight Software Engineer, you will work closely with our hardware and systems engineers to design, develop, and implement software for our cutting-edge aircraft systems. We are open to ...

Front Door Defense

Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150 - $180/hr

Flight Software Engineer Location: Los Angeles, California Compensation: $150,000 - 180,000 USD per year About The Role Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace ...

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Flight Software Engineer information

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$35

$53

$74

How much do flight software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight software engineer in California is $53.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.38 and $58.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 skills and qualifications are needed to be a flight software engineer?

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 challenges do flight software engineers face 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 California?

For Flight Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Flight Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Flight Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Flight Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Flight Software Engineer job openings:

Flight Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $110,248 per year, or $53 per hour.

Staff Flight Software Engineer

Vast

Long Beach, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Vast is looking for a Staff Flight Software Engineer, reporting to Senior Manager, Flight Software, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. 

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

You will develop fault-tolerant code for safety-critical systems, and work closely with the avionics team to integrate flight code with avionics hardware. Most importantly, you will work as part of a team that believes that finding and fixing errors is a positive experience that will make everyone's work better, and makes the team stronger as we continuously improve our processes and products.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with the Flight Software team to create highly reliable flight software for all Haven missions
  • Work cross functionally with all other disciplines GNC, Thermal, Propulsion, Power, and ECLSS to support algorithm implementation and integration into the flight software
  • Assess and critique code, ensuring adherence to best practices and established standards, in code reviews
  • Develop driver-level code to interface with radios, sensors, and actuators onboard for all Haven missions
  • Develop and maintain the Telemetry and Commanding Systems which will be used to communicate with our vehicles
  • Develop unit and integrated tests, and establish continuous integration framework for flight

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
  • 10+ years of experience coding in C++

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design
  • Experience developing software for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles
  • Experience working in a continuous build and test environment
  • Experience with Embedded Systems
  • Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems
  • Hands-on experience with serial protocols such as UART, CAN, I2C, SPI, and/or Ethernet (TCP/UDP)
  • Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers
  • Network programming experience
  • Familiarity with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
  • Familiarity with the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence)
  • Familiarity with Git, Cmake, and GNU tools
  • Able to work in a Linux environment

Additional Requirements:

  • Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones

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