Flight Software and Test Engineer

Dcubed

$70K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field
  • Experience in flight software, embedded software, or spacecraft software, even as a new graduate
  • Previous involvement in developing software for space, aerospace, or safety-critical systems
  • Teamwork experience in small collaborative teams
  • Proficiency in structured programming languages (C/C++, Python), version control (git), and CI/testing frameworks
  • Familiarity with ARM-based microcontrollers

Responsibilities

  • Design and own the flight software architecture for spacecraft and payloads
  • Define software concepts of operations (ConOps) and develop mission modes and state machines
  • Implement flight software including mission logic, data handling, command management, and fault detection
  • Modify and extend vendor software while reducing proprietary stack reliance
  • Define software interfaces and collaborate closely with avionics engineers
  • Elicit and provide systems engineering recommendations
  • Conduct hands-on software testing, debugging, and validation in lab settings

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge spacecraft technology
  • Collaborative environment with access to multiple engineering disciplines
  • Hands-on involvement in high-stakes software testing and validation at integration phases
  • Potential for professional development and growth in aerospace software engineering
  • Engagement with innovative projects in space operations
Full Job Description
As a Flight Software & Test Engineer, you are responsible for the design, hands-on testing, implementation, and evolution of onboard flight software for Dcubed's payloads and spacecraft. You define a robust flight software architecture covering mission logic, modes, data handling, communications, and autonomy, taking into account the constraints of space operations. You work closely with our Embedded Avionics Engineer, Systems Engineering, and Avionics Integration Team to ensure reliable, testable, and mission-ready software.

What you will do

  • Design and own the flight software architecture for payloads and spacecraft


  • Define software concepts of operations (ConOps), mission modes and state machines


  • Implement flight software covering:


Mission logic and mode handling (safe mode, commissioning, nominal, debugging, etc.)

Data acquisition, handling, storage, and downlink

Command handling and fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR)

Interfaces to avionics hardware, sensors, and actuators

  • Adapt and extend vendor-provided onboard computer software, and progressively reduce reliance on proprietary stacks


  • Define software interfaces and abstractions in close collaboration with avionics colleagues


  • Provide recommendations to systems engineering


  • Hands-on software loading, testing, debugging, and validation in the lab and during integration


  • Define software-related documentation, interfaces, and test procedures


  • Act as a Subject Matter Expert for flight software activities within the avionics and missions teams.


Must-haves

  • Education: Bachelor's of Science in Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field


  • You can be newly graduated with experience in flight software, embedded software, or spacecraft software


  • Experience developing software for space, aerospace, or other safety-critical systems


  • Experience working in small teams


  • Technologies


  • Structured programming (C/C++ / Python / CMake) with git, testing frameworks, CI


  • Experience with ARM-based microcontrollers


The annual compensation for the role will be between $70 000-120 000, depending on the experience and skills of the selected person.

Department Dcubed Johnstown, CO US Locations Johnstown Employment type Full-time

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Dcubed

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Flight Software and Test Engineer jobs: