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Principal Flight Software Engineer Verified today

True Anomaly · Denver, CO · Long Beach, CA · Software · first seen 2026-10-01
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Your Mission

As a Principal Flight Software Engineer at True Anomaly, you will serve as a technical authority across the full spacecraft software stack, shaping architecture decisions, setting engineering standards, and driving the development of flight software from concept through on-orbit operations. You will own hard problems, influence program-level direction, and raise the technical bar for the team around you.

Responsibilities

  • Own the architecture and technical direction of flight software for space missions, including on-board computers, processing units, and associated systems
  • Lead the design and development of robust, safety-critical embedded software with a focus on long-term maintainability and mission reliability
  • Drive integration of complex GNC algorithms with flight software, collaborating closely with the GNC team to ensure correctness and performance
  • Define and maintain the Command Telemetry Database (CTDB) architecture to support ground and on-orbit test and operations
  • Establish and enforce software engineering standards including coding practices, design patterns, and verification and validation approaches
  • Partner with the ground C2 software team to align interfaces, data flows, and operational concepts across the full system
  • Architect and lead development of HITL and SITL simulation environments for subsystem and full-vehicle testing
  • Design and own reusable device driver and communications protocol libraries across flight hardware platforms
  • Serve as a key technical voice in design reviews, architecture discussions, and cross-functional planning

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field
  • 15+ years of experience with embedded systems, low-level firmware architecture, and safety-critical software
  • Demonstrated ownership of FSW architecture on delivered space or safety-critical programs
  • Deep expertise in low-level device driver development and real-time embedded systems
  • Hands-on experience with embedded RTOS platforms such as RTLinux or Azure RTOS
  • Strong command of communication protocols including Ethernet, SPI, I2C, CAN, RS422, and RS485
  • Expert-level proficiency in C/C++; proficiency in Python
  • Ability to maintain or obtain TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field
  • 15+ years of FSW development experience with direct contributions to on-orbit missions
  • Proven ability to define and uphold engineering standards across a software organization
  • Experience leading architecture reviews and driving technical decisions across multidisciplinary teams
  • Familiarity with embedded Linux and networking protocols including UDP and TCP/IP
  • Fluency with embedded systems toolchains, compilers, debuggers, and IDEs
  • Experience with microcontrollers, application processors, and revision control systems at scale
  • Advanced debugging skills using instrumentation such as oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers
  • Background in robotics, automation, motor control, or sensor fusion

Compensation

  • Base Salary: $180,000 to $285,000
  • Equity participation as part of total compensation
  • Benefits: health, dental, and vision coverage; HSA/HRA options; flexible time off or up to 25 days PTO; 12 paid holidays; parental leave; 401(k) retirement plan

Location and Requirements

  • Onsite role based near Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA
  • U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State per ITAR regulations