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Flight Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking Software Engineers to join a dynamic team supporting the development and delivery of ... SDA) and flight safety tools. The modernization effort includes designing and developing ...

We are seeking Software Engineers to join a dynamic team supporting the development and delivery of ... SDA) and flight safety tools. The modernization effort includes designing and developing ...

Ground Station Systems Software Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$54 - $74/hr

The engineer will work closely[1] with Mission Operations, ground site engineering, telecom engineering, flight software, and external ground site partners to ensure Lynk's ground stations can be ...

Lead, Software Engineer Job Code : 37557 Job Location: Herndon, VA (on-site) Schedule: 9/80 Regular ... Participate in flight safety certification activities. * Estimate and track financial progress as a ...

Lead and scale a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning optical, mechanical, electrical, firmware, flight software, autonomy, and mission systems engineering * Drive execution of complex ...

Lead and scale a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning optical, mechanical, electrical, firmware, flight software, autonomy, and mission systems engineering * Drive execution of complex ...

Lead and scale a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning optical, mechanical, electrical, firmware, flight software, autonomy, and mission systems engineering * Drive execution of complex ...

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Flight Software Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$35

$53

$74

How much do flight software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight software engineer in Virginia is $53.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.57 and $58.37 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 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 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.

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

We are seeking Software Engineers to join a dynamic team supporting the development and delivery of a Major Systems Application (MSA) including the associated operations and maintenance (O&M) support to modernize space domain awareness (SDA) and flight safety tools. The modernization effort includes designing and developing containerized microservices within a modern AWS-based architecture. Engineers will work in an agile development environment, leveraging established development environments to build and maintain services running on a modern framework using continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, information systems or equivalent field developer with experience in Java development utilizing various libraries such as SpringBoot, Mockito, Lombok, OpenAPI (Swagger) and other similar libraries developing RESTFul services. The software application is managed through Git and built using Gradle. Other third-party applications that are utilized are Kafka, MongoDB, ActiveMQ and/or NiFi. Applications are containerized and deployed to a Kubernetes cluster using Helm Charts. Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS) is also desired.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Utilize best practices to support, plan and execute the program's software development approach
  • Support the software design, development, testing and performance analysis of the software services and system
  • Develop capabilities supporting space domain awareness such as
  • observation scoring using the developed scoring process
  • truth" data generation using the developed fusion process
  • development and integration of the scoring and fusion process into the overall system
  • workflows to update the RSO database as a source of "truth" for use by the system

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, information systems, or equivalent field, or equivalent experience.
  • Must have at least 5+ years of experience in software engineering or software development for information technology systems
  • Experience with object-oriented programming languages, including Java, JEE, C++, or Python
  • Experience utilizing various libraries such as SpringBoot, Mockito, Lombok, OpenAPI (Swagger) and other similar libraries developing RESTful services
  • Experience in working with microservices and containerization technologies
  • Experience with supporting systems engineering efforts in system design, solution engineering, and software development
  • Required in order to be considered an active or current Top-Secret clearance with SCI access (TS/SCI) and a polygraph (CIP)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience developing software applications managed through Git and built using Gradle
  • Experience with Kafka, MongoDB, ActiveMQ, Nifi, and/or other third-party tools
  • Experience with integration and development tools for containerized applications deployed to a Kubernetes cluster using Helm Charts
  • Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Experience with Linux OS and command line interface
  • Security+ and/or DoD 8570 IAT Level II or above certification

Benefits

Work/Life Balance

Northstrat values true work life balance. We offer power of choice benefits designed to best meet the needs of you and your lifestyle. Our benefits programs are designed to support and encourage wellness, healthy living, retirement investment, and lifetime learning.

Pay Range

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. We also offer competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development opportunities. Please refer to our Benefits section for additional details.  

Flex Time

Northstrat does not mandate specific working hours. Although project requirements may dictate schedules, a Northstrat employee is only required to work an average of 8 hours per weekday over the course of a month. For example: John worked 12 hours on June 1st to meet a project deadline. On June 15th, John only worked 4 hours because he left early for a long weekend. John's IBA was not debited for time off because flex time allowed him to carry over those 4 hours from June 1st.

Individual Benefits Account (IBA)

To attract and retain the highest quality staff, Northstrat provides a unique and versatile benefits package, the Individual Benefit Account (IBA), which places the power of choice in the hands of our greatest asset - the employee.

The purpose of the IBA is to provide attractive benefits to all full-time employees of Northstrat on a flexible basis that enables each covered employee to select a package that best suits his or her needs. Whether those needs are paid time off, medical expenses, prescription drug expenses, cash disbursement, or a combination of any of these, the IBA provides flexibility to help you meet your specific goals. The IBA can be used for such things as:

IBA Benefits accrue each month in the amount equivalent to 50% of the employee's monthly compensation rate. That is, the effective dollar amount of this accrual is in addition to an employee's salary.

Profit Sharing Plan (PSP)

The PSP is a qualified retirement plan that Northstrat funds quarterly on the employee's behalf through the IBA in the amount equivalent to 25% (up to the IRS contribution limit) of the employee's compensation. That is, of the 50% accrual in the IBA, half of the amount accrued is applied to the PSP.

Lifelong Learning

Our culture promotes and nurtures a growth environment. We hire and scale rapidly to meet the needs of our partner customers. Through periodic company sponsored training events, and the ability to use IBA funds for reimbursement of work-related education expenses you will have the opportunity to continually grow your skills and abilities.

Bring Your True Self

We embrace diversity and encourage inclusion. We support employee led interest groups and challenge our employees to support others and be their best self. We are so true to our beliefs that we offer employee referral incentives. When you like it here, your friends and family will too!

Northstrat is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or other legally protected status.