Principal Flight Software Engineer
True Anomaly3 hours ago
Denver, CO, USAStaff+
Base Salary
$180k - $285k/yr
Responsibilities
- Own the architecture and technical direction of flight software for spacecraft on-board computers, processing units, and associated systems.
- Lead the design and development of maintainable, reliable, safety-critical embedded software.
- Integrate GNC algorithms with flight software in collaboration with the GNC team.
- Define and maintain Command Telemetry Database architecture for ground and on-orbit testing and operations.
- Establish software engineering standards covering coding practices, design patterns, verification, and validation.
- Align interfaces, data flows, and operational concepts with the ground C2 software team.
- Architect and lead hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop simulation environments.
- Design and own reusable device-driver and communications-protocol libraries across flight hardware platforms.
- Provide technical leadership in design reviews, architecture discussions, and cross-functional planning.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
- 15+ years of experience with embedded systems, low-level firmware architecture, and safety-critical software.
- Demonstrated ownership of flight software 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 knowledge of Ethernet, SPI, I2C, CAN, RS422, and RS485 communication protocols.
- Expert-level proficiency in C/C++ and proficiency in Python.
- Ability to maintain or obtain TS/SCI clearance.
- Preferred qualifications include a master's degree, 15+ years of flight software development experience with direct on-orbit contributions, experience setting engineering standards and leading architecture reviews, familiarity with embedded Linux and UDP/TCP/IP, embedded toolchain experience, large-scale microcontroller and application-processor experience, advanced instrumentation-based debugging, and background in robotics, automation, motor control, or sensor fusion.
Benefits
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, with HSA/HRA options.
- Flexible Time Off for exempt employees or accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays, parental leave, and sick leave.
- Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees.
- 401(k), fitness reimbursement, Dog Fridays, and equity participation.
- Onsite role for candidates based near Denver, Colorado, or Long Beach, California.
About True Anomaly
True Anomaly builds spacecraft and software for space defense, including autonomous satellites, precision-sensing payloads, mission command-and-control software, and space-based interceptors for national security and commercial operators. Founded in 2022 by former U.S. Space Force members, it is privately held and headquartered in Englewood, Colorado. The company sells hardware, AI-enabled flight software, and mission operations services to U.S. and allied defense programs and space infrastructure providers.