Senior Software Engineer

On-site Sr Software Engineer opportunity in El Segundo, CA. Relocation assistance. 100% on-site. In this role, you will be responsible for the architecture, design, and implementation of mission-critical software that enables spacecraft control, autonomy, communication, and safety.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder).

What you will do:

• Lead the design and development of Space Kinetic's flight software, including guidance, navigation, control (GNC), telemetry, command, and fault management systems.
• Define software requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies in coordination with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Develop robust, real-time, and fault-tolerant software using C/C++ and/or Rust in embedded or RTOS environments.
• Perform software design reviews, code reviews, and verification activities to ensure safety, reliability, and performance compliance with space flight standards.
• Mentor and guide software engineers through technical leadership, code quality enforcement, and system-level integration.
• Support spacecraft-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and flight simulation testing environments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of software development processes, tools, and best practices.
• Participate in mission readiness reviews, anomaly resolution, and on-orbit software updates and maintenance.

What is needed

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering
• 10+ years of experience developing embedded or real-time software for space, aerospace, robotics, or mission-critical systems
• Proven experience leading software development through all phases of the system lifecycle
• Strong proficiency in C/C++, with working knowledge of Python or scripting languages
• Familiarity with RTOS, bare-metal programming, or Linux-based embedded systems
• Deep understanding of software reliability, deterministic timing, concurrency, and resource management
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance
• Domestic travel up to 15%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with flight software frameworks (e.g., NASA cFS, F' FPrime, or custom architectures)
• Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and interface control documentation
• Knowledge of space communication protocols (CCSDS, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, etc.)

Benefits:

• Equity-Based Compensation
• Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
• Health and Wellness Stipend
• Commuter Benefits