Principal Flight Software Engineer Verified today

About K2 Space

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown. Backed by over $1 billion in funding and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, K2 is mass-producing high-power satellite platforms for missions from LEO to deep space. The company plans multiple launches in 2027 and aims to scale to 100 satellites per year.

The Role

You will be responsible for the development and verification of flight software for some of the largest spacecraft ever built. You will write mission-critical code that controls propulsion systems, attitude control systems, and power systems to ensure safe and reliable operation of the vehicle.

The software team spans a full spectrum of development: GNC algorithms, application software on flight computers, embedded software on microcontrollers, operating systems, HDL programming, and test systems. Technologies include Rust, C++, C, Python, VHDL, and SystemVerilog.

Over your first 6 months, you will develop core pieces of the software architecture including strategies for fault tolerance, real-time control, and telemetry downlink. In your first year, you will implement larger software systems and begin verifying code using software and hardware in the loop simulators. In your first two years, you will operate your code on multiple spacecraft, demonstrating robust performance in demanding missions.

Responsibilities

• Create software architecture for real-time, fault tolerant control of a 20kW+ spacecraft
• Develop software applications for control of spacecraft subsystems, including propulsion, guidance/attitude control, thermal, power, and communications systems
• Design and implement state machines for robust operation of the spacecraft
• Create and utilize robust tools to allow for rapid deployment of quality code
• Perform data analysis and anomaly investigation to identify and resolve software bugs
• Support integration and testing of the spacecraft subsystems
• Build and maintain infrastructure to increase reliability when developing and testing software

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or a STEM discipline, or 10+ years of professional experience in software engineering
• Development experience in Rust, C/C++, Python, VHDL, or SystemVerilog

Nice to Have

• Experience with spacecraft flight software development
• Fluency with Linux systems programming and driver development
• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery systems
• Experience building or working with hard real-time embedded systems (bare-metal or RTOS)
• Basic knowledge of electronics, computer architecture, and control systems
• Experience developing or working with state machines
• Experience with software verification and testing methods
• Experience with software and network performance analysis and debugging
• Experience with implementing Extended Kalman Filters for inertial sensors
• Experience with fault tolerant software design and implementation
• Experience defining and creating test systems for both hardware-in-the-loop and hardware-out-of-the-loop

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range: $200,000 to $240,000 plus equity
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, and paid parental leave

Export Compliance

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. You must either be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 (including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain protected individuals) or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.