Principal Flight Software Engineer
The Exploration Company8 months ago
Munich, GermanyStaff+
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of flight software engineers through spacecraft software design, implementation, testing, and integration.
- Own the flight software roadmap, architecture, modularity, execution, and interfaces across avionics and vehicle subsystems.
- Drive development in modern C++ and Python for safe and efficient spacecraft operations in real-time environments.
- Oversee unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure to ensure flight readiness.
- Collaborate with systems engineering, GNC, propulsion, avionics, and mission operations to define requirements, resolve interfaces, and validate end-to-end behavior.
- Lead code reviews, software audits, flight software simulations, and mission rehearsals while maintaining high standards for quality, test coverage, and robustness.
Requirements
- Strong proficiency in modern C++ and Python.
- Experience with real-time systems, embedded development, or spacecraft software.
- Demonstrated ownership of complex technical problems and ability to drive them to resolution.
- Familiarity with software testing methodologies and simulation tools.
- Strong cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration skills, with a good understanding of mathematics and physics.
- Experience with CI/CD systems and build systems.
- Preferred: knowledge of safety-critical and real-time-critical software, RTOS, communication protocols such as TCP/IP, UART, CAN Bus, and serialization.
- Preferred: experience with automotive or flight software frameworks and background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft systems, or the space mission lifecycle.
- Preferred: familiarity with AUTOSAR, ECSS, or DO-178 industry standards.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate, including visa sponsorship where applicable.
- The company describes its culture as agile, open, collaborative, and mission-focused.
- The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.
- Employment offers may be contingent upon a background check applicable to the country, role, and project.
About The Exploration Company
The Exploration Company designs and builds Nyx, a reusable cargo spacecraft for in‑orbit transportation and Earth return, selling mission services to commercial and institutional customers. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Gauting, Bavaria, the privately held company focuses on logistics to and from low Earth orbit and beyond. It flew a reentry technology demonstrator on Ariane 6’s inaugural launch in 2024 as a step toward operational missions.