The main responsibility of the Staff Flight Software Engineer - cFS is to act as a subject matter expert in NASA core flight system (cFS) services and application development for mission-critical space robotics. They will lead cFS development efforts and mentor engineers on cFS best practices, ensuring the system meets stringent real-time, safety, and reliability requirements for crewed and autonomous space operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the technical authority for NASA core Flight System (cFS) design, configuration, and deployment on a robotics-based avionics platform
- Define, implement, and maintain cFS application architectures to support robotic navigation, control, and payload operations in a space environment
- Integrate and maintain cFS with underlying RTOS (e.g., VxWorks, RTEMS) and hardware abstraction layers
- Customize and extend cFS services (EVS, ES, SB, TBL, TIME, SCH, etc.) to meet mission requirements
- Collaborate with robotics software, hardware, and systems engineers to ensure seamless data handling, command execution, and timing synchronization
- Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, simulation environments, and mission rehearsals
- Guide best practices for requirements-based development, verification, and flight certification
- Mentor engineers in cFS concepts, architecture, and mission-proven workflows
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in computer or electrical engineering or related field
- 7+ years in embedded software or avionics systems for space or mission-critical robotics applications
- 3+ in NASA core Flight System (cFS) architecture, services, and application development
- Strong proficiency in C for embedded system development
- Familiarity with spacecraft data handling, telemetry/command processing, and deterministic networking
- Experience with robotics platforms for planetary exploration, surface mobility, or space station operations
- Self-motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines
- Excellent organization and time management skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- U.S. Person
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies
- Experience with GNC software integration in robotic or spacecraft systems
- Familiarity with space mission development phases and associated documentation and standards
- Knowledge of LEON3/4 or RISC-V space-grade processors
- Prior work with crewed vehicle avionics architecture or planetary robotics
Compensation & Benefits: Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.
- Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
- Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
- Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
- Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays
- Parental leave
- Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development
