AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Principal FSW Engineer Verified today

AST SpaceMobile · Lanham, MD · Software · first seen 2026-09-03
Apply at AST SpaceMobile →

About the Role

AST SpaceMobile is building the first global cellular broadband network in space, operating directly with standard mobile devices. We need a Principal Flight Software Engineer to lead the design and deployment of embedded Linux software for our satellite fleet, with deep expertise in networking subsystems and embedded computing.

What You Will Own

  • Design, development, and deployment of embedded Linux software for flight systems, including BSP bring-up, device driver development, and system-level integration
  • Networking subsystem architecture for satellite flight software, including protocol stack implementation, network driver development, and link-layer communication
  • Software architecture, coding, and review standards across the Flight Software Team
  • Build and CI infrastructure, release and configuration management, and software development lifecycle standards
  • Technical leadership and mentorship of junior and mid-level engineers
  • Integration and test activities, diagnosing and resolving complex hardware/software issues
  • End-to-end technical projects: scoping, planning, staffing, and delivery
  • Cross-team communication with hardware, RF, and systems engineering teams on interfaces and integration

Required Experience

  • 8+ years of professional software engineering, with significant focus on embedded Linux
  • Deep expertise in Linux kernel internals: network and platform driver development, device tree authoring, kernel configuration and build
  • Strong understanding of networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, UDP, routing, network interfaces, socket programming
  • Experience implementing or integrating custom communication protocols at application, transport, or link layer
  • Proficiency in C and C++ (C++17 standard library); Python for tooling and automation
  • Experience with embedded Linux build systems such as Yocto or Buildroot
  • Familiarity with cross-compilation toolchains and embedded debugging techniques (JTAG, SWD, GDB)
  • Experience with real-time or latency-constrained Linux environments (PREEMPT_RT or similar)
  • Strong debugging skills across hardware/software boundaries; comfortable with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and network analyzers
  • Modern development workflows: Git, unit testing, continuous integration, Jira
  • Track record leading projects that extend beyond a single embedded target, including larger systems, services, or engineering infrastructure
  • Experience defining and improving engineering processes across multiple teams

Preferred Qualifications

  • Background in RF or radio-frequency systems integration
  • Experience with network security in embedded contexts (TLS, secure boot, key management)
  • Experience with CUDA
  • Experience with high-reliability or fault-tolerant software design patterns

Skills and Attributes

  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Able to lead technical discussions across engineering and program teams
  • Skilled at extracting requirements from stakeholders

Work Environment

  • Office and lab environment in Lanham, Maryland
  • Hands-on hardware/software debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and network analyzers
  • Occasional travel to support integration, testing, or cross-team collaboration
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and use a computer for extended periods