Flight Software Engineer
$135k/y-$225k/y
Approach Venture17 hours ago
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OnsiteFull-timeMid
Summary
Approach Venture is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to join their team in El Segundo, CA. The role involves architecting and deploying flight software for advanced spacecraft systems designed for high-energy missions.
About the Role
As a Flight Software Engineer, you will be responsible for developing core flight software that meets performance and reliability requirements. Your tasks will include designing and verifying software for Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) functions, developing real-time systems for command and telemetry handling, and implementing software features for spacecraft operations. You will collaborate with various teams throughout the development lifecycle and support hardware-in-the-loop testing and mission readiness activities.
About You
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or similar technical discipline.
- 2+ years of software development experience, preferably involving embedded systems or complex vehicles.
- Strong experience writing C/C++ for embedded or real-time applications.
- Solid understanding of operating systems, computer architecture, data structures, and networking fundamentals.
- Experience with version control systems and modern software development practices.
- Familiarity with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or Embedded Linux environments.
- Understanding of microcontroller architectures and hardware interfaces.
- Strong debugging, performance optimization, and root-cause analysis skills.
- Ability to move quickly and contribute across multiple engineering disciplines in a startup setting.
- U.S. Person status or eligibility to obtain required export licensing.
Preferred:
- Hands-on experience delivering flight or vehicle software for spacecraft, launch vehicles, drones, robotics, or autonomous systems.
- Background in mission operations, on-orbit support, or integrated system testing.
- Familiarity with NASA cFS, ROS2, or similar aerospace middleware frameworks.
- Experience designing deterministic systems for hard real-time constraints.
- Exposure to safety-critical software development processes or formal certification environments.
- Experience with additional tools or languages such as Python, Rust, Git-based workflows, Grafana, or comparable platforms.
- Participation in integration, testing, launch, or operational phases of a space vehicle program.
Benefits
- Opportunity to build flight-critical systems with real mission impact.
- High level of technical ownership and influence.
- Fast-paced startup environment with strong engineering autonomy.
- Direct collaboration with experienced aerospace founders and technical leaders.
- Opportunity for long-term growth as the company scales.
- Work on cutting-edge space technology pushing the boundaries of orbital operations.
- Equity participation and the ability to help shape a growing team.
Approach Venture
Enabling founding teams building the future of frontier technology to achieve their full potential.
El Segundo, CA