Staff Flight Software Engineer Verified today
About Observable Space
Observable Space is a vertically integrated space technology company building precision optics platforms for Earth observation and in-space applications. Our systems serve NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, RTX, the US Space Force, and leading research institutions. We deliver ground stations, on-orbit sensor suites, free space optical lasercom, and distributed compute platforms enabling real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.
The Role
We're seeking a Staff Flight Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain flight software systems for spacecraft and telescope platforms. You'll work with a multidisciplinary team of electrical, mechanical, optical, and software engineers to deliver reliable, fault-tolerant systems for ground-based and potential future space-based deployment.
What You'll Do
- Design and develop flight software for spacecraft and telescope systems, including command, control, and data handling (C&DH)
- Build and maintain software that interfaces directly with hardware components, sensors, and onboard subsystems
- Architect systems for high reliability, fault tolerance, and long-duration autonomous operation
- Implement communication protocols for telemetry, command uplink/downlink, and system coordination
- Collaborate with electrical and hardware teams to ensure seamless integration between software and physical systems
- Support hardware bring-up, integration, and debugging at the hardware/software boundary
- Develop and implement fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) mechanisms
- Support system testing, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and validation activities
- Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and internal documentation
- Provide engineering support during integration, testing, and system validation
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
- 5+ years of experience in software engineering, embedded systems, or systems-level development
- Strong programming skills in C/C++ or similar low-level languages
- Experience developing software for embedded or hardware-integrated systems
- Understanding of real-time systems, concurrency, and performance optimization
- Familiarity with communication protocols and networking fundamentals
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills
- Effective communicator and collaborator
- Demonstrated passion for aerospace, robotics, or complex systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing flight software for spacecraft, satellites, or aerospace systems
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux environments
- Understanding of fault-tolerant system design and reliability engineering
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments
- Familiarity with space communication standards (e.g., CCSDS)
- Experience working in fast-paced, early-stage or startup environments
- Basic scripting or automation (Python, MATLAB) for testing or data analysis
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards and your experience
- Equity opportunities with stock options
- Hybrid work environment with minimum 3 days per week in Los Angeles office
- Unlimited PTO (exempt only) plus paid holidays
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 100% employer-paid for employees
- Access to cutting-edge hardware and software tools
- Mission-driven culture focused on meaningful, real-world impact