ZipRecruiter
Senior Flight Software Engineer
ZipRecruiter - Denver, Colorado, United States, 80285
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Job DescriptionJob Description
Founding Flight Software Engineer Build the Software Stack for a Reusable Satellite Platform!
Denver, CO (Onsite)
Opportunity Summary
An early-stage, stealth-mode space startup headquartered in Denver is developing a breakthrough reusable satellite architecture aimed at both security and commercial markets. With venture backing, a strong runway, and a leadership team drawn from the top ranks of aerospace and startup engineering, were laying the foundation for the next phase of in-orbit and reentry innovation. Were hiring our first dedicated Flight Software Engineer, a technical leader who will design, implement, and own the core software infrastructure that controls our spacecraft. This is a unique 0-to-1 opportunity to define how the system operates, scale future software development, and be part of a mission-driven team tackling hard aerospace problems with speed and precision.
About Us
Were a stealth startup building reusable spacecraft designed for rapid turnaround and high-performance reentry. Our platform supports a range of use cases from defense to commercial deployment and is engineered for resilience, modularity, and reusability. The team includes engineers and operators from top space startups and tier-1 aerospace programs. We move fast, operate lean, and value first-principles thinking over legacy constraints.
Job Duties
Architect and build the entire flight software system, from bootloader to mission operations
Design low-level embedded software for vehicle command, telemetry, fault detection, and autonomous operation
Collaborate directly with GNC, avionics, propulsion, and ground systems engineers to define interfaces and control logic
Establish software infrastructure for testing, including hardware-in-the-loop simulations and test harnesses
Own system-level fault management, redundancy strategies, and flight safety logic
Support flight readiness, post-flight analysis, and iterative improvements across missions
Build internal tools and documentation to support future hires and scale the codebase over time
Lead early technical decisions that will shape the trajectory of the platform and company
Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering, Aerospace, or a related technical field
7+ years of experience developing embedded or flight-critical software
Strong command of C and C++ for real-time, bare-metal, RTOS, or embedded Linux systems
Experience building from scratch or contributing to early-stage software stacks
Ability to break down ambiguous problems into testable, reliable code with minimal supervision
Demonstrated track record of ownership, initiative, and interdisciplinary collaboration
Comfort working in fast-moving environments with high agency and minimal bureaucracy
Experience
Prior involvement in building embedded systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or autonomous vehicles
Familiarity with flight certification processes, fault-tolerant software, and hardware interface protocols
Understanding of avionics, GNC loops, and real-time telemetry processing
Experience writing integration and validation frameworks for embedded systems
Background in satellite bus systems, capsule reentry, or reusable launch vehicle software
Solid fundamentals in operating systems, microcontroller architecture, and low-level debugging
Exposure to in-flight operational environments or flight software deployment
Security Clearance
Must be able to obtain US Secret clearance.
Why Join Us
Founding-level role with the opportunity to build from the ground up
Work on a high-impact space platform with real defense and commercial relevance
Small team, big missionyour contributions matter from day one
Clear path to grow into engineering leadership as the company scales
Hands-on access to hardware, avionics, and flight test environments
Equity and early-stage ownership
Relocation support available if needed
Compensation Details
$130,000 - $180,000 plus equity
#LI-AV
Founding Flight Software Engineer Build the Software Stack for a Reusable Satellite Platform!
Denver, CO (Onsite)
Opportunity Summary
An early-stage, stealth-mode space startup headquartered in Denver is developing a breakthrough reusable satellite architecture aimed at both security and commercial markets. With venture backing, a strong runway, and a leadership team drawn from the top ranks of aerospace and startup engineering, were laying the foundation for the next phase of in-orbit and reentry innovation. Were hiring our first dedicated Flight Software Engineer, a technical leader who will design, implement, and own the core software infrastructure that controls our spacecraft. This is a unique 0-to-1 opportunity to define how the system operates, scale future software development, and be part of a mission-driven team tackling hard aerospace problems with speed and precision.
About Us
Were a stealth startup building reusable spacecraft designed for rapid turnaround and high-performance reentry. Our platform supports a range of use cases from defense to commercial deployment and is engineered for resilience, modularity, and reusability. The team includes engineers and operators from top space startups and tier-1 aerospace programs. We move fast, operate lean, and value first-principles thinking over legacy constraints.
Job Duties
Architect and build the entire flight software system, from bootloader to mission operations
Design low-level embedded software for vehicle command, telemetry, fault detection, and autonomous operation
Collaborate directly with GNC, avionics, propulsion, and ground systems engineers to define interfaces and control logic
Establish software infrastructure for testing, including hardware-in-the-loop simulations and test harnesses
Own system-level fault management, redundancy strategies, and flight safety logic
Support flight readiness, post-flight analysis, and iterative improvements across missions
Build internal tools and documentation to support future hires and scale the codebase over time
Lead early technical decisions that will shape the trajectory of the platform and company
Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering, Aerospace, or a related technical field
7+ years of experience developing embedded or flight-critical software
Strong command of C and C++ for real-time, bare-metal, RTOS, or embedded Linux systems
Experience building from scratch or contributing to early-stage software stacks
Ability to break down ambiguous problems into testable, reliable code with minimal supervision
Demonstrated track record of ownership, initiative, and interdisciplinary collaboration
Comfort working in fast-moving environments with high agency and minimal bureaucracy
Experience
Prior involvement in building embedded systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or autonomous vehicles
Familiarity with flight certification processes, fault-tolerant software, and hardware interface protocols
Understanding of avionics, GNC loops, and real-time telemetry processing
Experience writing integration and validation frameworks for embedded systems
Background in satellite bus systems, capsule reentry, or reusable launch vehicle software
Solid fundamentals in operating systems, microcontroller architecture, and low-level debugging
Exposure to in-flight operational environments or flight software deployment
Security Clearance
Must be able to obtain US Secret clearance.
Why Join Us
Founding-level role with the opportunity to build from the ground up
Work on a high-impact space platform with real defense and commercial relevance
Small team, big missionyour contributions matter from day one
Clear path to grow into engineering leadership as the company scales
Hands-on access to hardware, avionics, and flight test environments
Equity and early-stage ownership
Relocation support available if needed
Compensation Details
$130,000 - $180,000 plus equity
#LI-AV