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