Principal Flight Software Engineer Verified today
About K2 Space
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. With over $1 billion in total funding and $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, K2 is mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space. Multiple launches are planned for 2027, with plans to scale to 100 satellites per year.
The Role
You will be responsible for the development and verification of software that flies some of the largest spacecraft ever built. You will write mission-critical code controlling propulsion systems, attitude control systems, and power systems to ensure safe and reliable operation.
In 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 verify your 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.
The software team works across the full stack: GNC algorithms, flight computer applications, embedded microcontroller software, operating systems, HDL programming, and test systems. Engineers are encouraged to develop expertise across areas they may not have encountered before.
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 utilise 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
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 implementing Extended Kalman Filters for inertial sensors
- Experience with fault-tolerant software design and implementation
- Experience defining and creating test systems for hardware-in-the-loop and hardware-out-of-the-loop
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range: $200,000-$240,000 plus equity in the company
- Salary based on knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, and paid parental leave
Export Compliance
This role requires access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. The successful candidate must either be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or American Samoans) or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.