Senior Flight Engineer

Principal Flight Software Engineer

Confidential space systems company

Littleton, Colorado · Hybrid · Full-time

$170,000–$230,000 base salary + equity/stock

About the opportunity

A growing space systems company is hiring a Principal Flight Software Engineer to provide senior technical leadership across its spacecraft software team.

You’ll be the most senior flight software engineer below the Director, combining hands-on development with mentoring and team-level ownership. You’ll help shape architecture, strengthen engineering and testing practices, and guide a five-person team expected to grow to 8–10 engineers over the next 12–18 months.

The company supports a varied portfolio of commercial, government and science missions. This role offers the opportunity to influence how spacecraft software is built, tested and delivered across multiple programs.

What you’ll do

• Design, develop, integrate and test spacecraft flight software in modern C++.
• Contribute across multiple spacecraft subsystems, working with teams such as GNC, communications, power and avionics.
• Support software through development, verification, integration, launch and on-orbit operations.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance through design and code reviews.
• Improve software architecture, testing standards and development processes.
• Work effectively with hardware-driven requirements and changing priorities.
• Help the team scale while maintaining strong engineering quality.

What you’ll bring

• Significant experience developing flight software for spacecraft or satellites.
• Strong modern C++ skills and the ability to mentor and guide other engineers.
• Experience working across multiple spacecraft subsystems.
• Knowledge of software integration, verification and testing; on-orbit operations experience is an advantage.
• Experience with Linux-based development and multithreaded or real-time systems.
• A balance of hands-on engineering, technical leadership and team development.
• Experience in a startup, scale-up or similarly fast-moving space environment.

MaxFlight experience is beneficial, but not required. RTOS experience is welcome, but not required.

Location and working arrangement

Based in Littleton, Colorado , this hybrid role requires 3–5 days onsite each week . Remote arrangements are not available.

Compensation

**$170,000–$230,000 base