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Flight Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Flight Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท 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.

Senior Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท 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 ...

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 ...

Senior Flight Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท 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 ...

Vast is seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer to own flight software development and verification for a new constellation-ready spacecraft bus - a product line designed to scale to hundreds of ...

Flight Software Engineer III

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$115K - $190K/yr

YOUR MISSION As a Flight Software Engineer III at True Anomaly, you will gain experience at every phase of the spacecraft program including design, analysis, manufacturing, test, and flight. The ...

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Flight Software Engineer information

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How much do flight software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 12, 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.

More about Flight Software Engineer jobs
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:
Flight and Ground Software Engineer

Flight and Ground Software Engineer

INFINITY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LLC

Albuquerque, NM โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Infinityโ€™s niche in the aerospace and defense industry is specialized solutions that help bridge the gap between space and ground. This is no small task, and we owe our success to our team who help us fulfill our mission; to match people with their legacies for betterment of the world. There is always a place at Infinity for a motivated, capable individual seeking a career to better the world. We prioritize supporting our team through exceptional benefits, work-life balance, and structured career development. At Infinity, WE ARE MORE โ€“ now, come be more with us!

**Contingent Upon Contract Award**

Job Summary

The Flight and Ground Software Engineer supports the development, testing, and maintenance of software solutions for space technology programs at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This role focuses on flight software for spacecraft ranging from CubeSats to ESPA-class satellites, ground station software, and mission operations center applications. This position provides hands-on software development, testing, and integration support for space missions throughout their lifecycle from concept through operations.

The ideal candidate will support:

  • Flight software development: Assist in developing, modifying, and testing software/firmware for spacecraft systems, including command and control, data handling, and payload operations
  • Ground system software: Support design and implementation of ground station software tools, mission operations software, and telemetry processing systems
  • Operations support software: Develop scripts, automation tools, and utilities to support spacecraft operations, anomaly detection, and mission planning

This is a junior-level position (0-3 years experience) designed for early-career software engineers interested in space systems. The role provides mentorship and hands-on experience with real spaceflight missions supporting AFRL space technology experiments.


Key Responsibilities

Flight Software Development & Integration:

  • Assist senior engineers in developing and modifying flight software/firmware for spacecraft systems
  • Write, test, and document code for spacecraft subsystems under supervision
  • Support integration and testing of flight software in hardware/software-in-the-loop environments
  • Assist with software configuration management and version control for flight code
  • Participate in flight software code reviews and testing procedures

Ground System Software Development:

  • Design and implement software tools for ground stations, mission operations centers, and data processing
  • Develop utilities for telemetry processing, command generation, and mission planning
  • Modify existing ground software to meet emerging mission requirements
  • Maintain ground software databases and configuration management systems
  • Support cloud-based ground system infrastructure and commercial ground station interfaces

Flight Operations Software Support:

  • Develop scripts and automation tools to support spacecraft operations
  • Create utilities for vehicle planning, command block building, and verification
  • Support development of anomaly detection algorithms and fault reporting systems
  • Assist with operational acceptance testing and regression testing
  • Provide software support during spacecraft on-orbit operations as required

Testing & Quality Assurance:

  • Develop and execute unit tests, integration tests, and system tests for flight and ground software
  • Support hardware/software-in-the-loop testing environments
  • Document test procedures, test results, and software defects
  • Participate in software validation and verification activities

Documentation & Collaboration:

  • Create and maintain software documentation including design documents, user guides, and interface control documents
  • Participate in agile development processes, sprint planning, and technical reviews
  • Collaborate with systems engineers, hardware engineers, and operations personnel
  • Document lessons learned and contribute to process improvements

Qualifications:

  • Education: Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
  • Experience: 0-3 years of experience in software engineering or a related field
  • Clearance: Secret, with TS/SCI preferred
  • Required Skills:
    • Proficiency in programming languages applicable to embedded/flight systems: C, C++, Python
    • Strong knowledge of software design, development, and testing methodologies
    • Experience with version control systems (Git, Subversion) and software configuration management
    • Understanding of software development lifecycle and agile methodologies
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
    • Excellent documentation and technical writing abilities
    • Ability to work in team environments and take direction from senior engineers
    • Willingness to learn space systems, spacecraft operations, and mission operations center software
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Familiarity with spacecraft systems, satellite operations, or aerospace software
    • Experience with Linux/Unix environments
    • Knowledge of DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines
    • Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government)
    • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools
    • Understanding of spacecraft command and telemetry protocols
    • Experience with scripting languages (Python, Bash, PowerShell) for automation
    • Knowledge of database management systems (SQL, NoSQL)
    • Exposure to hardware/software-in-the-loop testing
    • Academic or professional experience with CubeSats or small satellite projects
    • Highly Desired: Participation in university CubeSat or NanoSat programs or similar hands-on space projects
    • Highly Desired: Coursework in orbital mechanics, spacecraft systems, or aerospace engineering


Work Environment:

Ability to work at a desk and operate a computer for extended periods.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position, typically working 40 hours per week. Overtime may be required depending on operational needs.


Infinity Benefits:

Great Company Culture.โ€ฏInfinity firmly believes that our success is due to the happiness and personal satisfaction of our employees.โ€ฏ

Health Benefits.โ€ฏ100% Company Paid monthlyโ€ฏMedical and Dental premiums for you AND your family.โ€ฏ

Prepare for the Future.โ€ฏ401(k) company contribution, with free professional financial planning advisorsโ€ฏ

Rest and Relaxation. โ€ฏThree weeks' Vacationโ€ฏโ€“ andโ€ฏwe offer an annual company reward trip after one year of employment.

Health and Wellness.โ€ฏWe offer 48 hours of sick leave, in addition to your Vacation, as well as Flex-Spending options (Medical and Dependent Care)โ€ฏ

Work that Stays at Work.โ€ฏGenuine work/life balance and flexibility. We know our employees have lives outside of work and we support you in living them!โ€ฏ

Education and Professional Training Reimbursement.โ€ฏโ€ฏWe support our employees career aspirations and growth through our Education Reimbursement Program!โ€ฏ

Profit Sharing Plan.โ€ฏโ€ฏInfinityโ€™s success is due to our employees which is why all eligible employees receive an annual payout based on our Profit-Sharing Plan.โ€ฏ

โ€ฏU.S. Citizenship is required.

EOE including disability/vet

To learn more about our company and benefits, please visit:โ€ฏInfinity Careers