Our client is seeking a  Principal Software Engineer  to lead the development of embedded flight software for mission-critical space systems. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with architecture, development, integration, and testing responsibilities. You’ll work closely with senior engineers, systems teams, and leadership to deliver reliable, high-performance software for spacecraft operations.

Key Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional teams in designing and developing fault-tolerant flight software.

Collaborate with systems engineers to define requirements and architect solutions across spacecraft and ground systems.

Develop command and control software for spacecraft operations and payloads.

Drive system integration, testing, and documentation efforts.

Mentor junior engineers and promote strong engineering practices.

Support the full software lifecycle—from architecture to deployment and operations.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.

12+ years of experience in high-reliability software development.

5+ years of technical leadership across software teams.

Expertise in embedded software development using Rust and/or Modern C++.

Strong understanding of processor architecture, performance optimization, and memory efficiency.

Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and static/dynamic analysis tools.

Proficient in embedded ARM development (Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal).

Familiarity with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).

Comfortable in a fast-paced, agile development environment.

Desired Qualifications

Master’s or PhD in a related field.

18+ years of experience, including work on flight software or mission-critical systems.

Experience with secure coding, Python, and hardware interfaces (Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe).

Background in fault-critical systems and distributed architectures.