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Flight Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Flight Software Engineer Department: Software Employment Type: Full Time Location: Redondo Beach Compensation: $130,000 - $280,000 / year Description As a Flight Software Engineer at Impulse, you ...

Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic Flight Software Engineer who is fueled by high accountability, execution horsepower, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and ...

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is excited to develop software that is used to control and fly our products. You will have the ...

Description As a Flight Software Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for the design, development, and integration of the software that powers our Space Vehicles. You will work closely with ...

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How much do flight software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight software engineer in the United States is $53.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.95 and $58.89 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.

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What cities are hiring for Flight Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Flight Software Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Flight Software Engineer jobs? The top employers for Flight Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Flight Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Flight Software Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Flight Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $111,711 per year, or $53.7 per hour.
Flight Software Engineer

Other

Posted 19 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 74,355 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) software team, which is part of Anduril's Tactical Recon and Strike (TRS) division, develops flight computer vehicle software for small drones (Group 1-3).

Are you passionate about avionics and flight software? Join us in refining the foundation for a common Vehicle Management System (VMS) that can be used across Group 1-3 UAVs. The team is enhancing the current Altius VMS to support modularity, clean abstractions, and faster new-aircraft development cycles-laying the groundwork for scalable, reusable flight software across the TRS product line.

The right person for this role has experience in flight control software and embedded Linux or RTOS development. Joining early means you'll directly shape how we scale-both in the volume of drones we build and the breadth of missions they can fly. Our engineers move quickly from simulation to flight and thrive on solving real-world problems that matter.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Flight Software Engineer, you will be responsible for developing the embedded software that powers Anduril's aircraft while working alongside a team of engineers with a diverse set of backgrounds and skills. Anduril has a collaborative culture with plenty of opportunities for ownership. As an early member of the team, your decisions today will have a large impact on the company now and into the future, as well as on our customers.

You'll own sections of the flight stack end-to-end - from device drivers and middleware integration to control law implementation, test automation, and flight validation. Expect to work closely with GNC, hardware, manufacturing, and operations teams, lead technical design reviews, and mentor junior engineers. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on real-world engineering constraints and wants to see the code they ship fly on mission-critical systems.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Design and implement vehicle control systems.
  • Develop embedded software for pre-emptible Linux or RTOS applications.
  • Develop device drivers, protocols, and APIs for aircraft sensors.
  • Integrate new features and sensors into flight controller software.
  • Integrate guidance and control algorithms with the flight software stack.
  • Create Software-In-The-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) test fixtures and automation.
  • Analyze flight test results and iterate quickly on fixes and improvements.
  • Support device manufacturing efforts, debugging, and production-level test.
  • Support operational aircraft deployments and field troubleshooting.
  • Mentor junior engineers and help improve team engineering practices and test infrastructure.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 4+ years of C++ or Rust programming experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • Direct experience with embedded software or other safety-critical systems.
  • Background in low-level embedded software architecture, design and development.
  • Low-level device driver development experience; familiarity with both microcontrollers and application processors.
  • Comfortable with typical embedded systems tools, compilers, debuggers, and IDEs.
  • Familiarity with communications busses and protocols such as CAN, CAN FD, UART/RS232/RS422/RS485, SPI, QSPI, I2C, Ethernet, etc.
  • Strong debugging skills, comfortable using instrumentation such as oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 6+ years of C++ or Rust programming experience creating clean, efficient, and reliable code.
  • Strong vehicle systems and avionics design knowledge.
  • Experience building flight stacks or working with PX4/ArduPilot or proprietary autopilots.
  • Familiarity with control systems, state estimation, and guidance algorithms.
  • Bias toward delivery and rapid iteration to discover the right engineering investments.
  • Willingness to take calculated risks and full accountability for outcomes.
  • Passion for solving real-world problems quickly and effectively.
  • Track record of designing, building, and delivering useful software to users - we want to hear war stories!
  • Experience with SITL/HITL frameworks, CI for embedded systems, and creating reproducible test environments.

ANDURIL PRODUCTS

For more information on the latest with Anduril, visit our Newsroom with articles such as "Anduril a year in review" and many more. Watch this short video showcasing our products at Anduril.

Check out some of the products you could be working on:

Barracuda
Altius
Ghost
Bolt


Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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