Flight Software Engineer
Irvine, CA at a glance
- Rent
- #2 of 51$3,390/mo+46% vs US avg
- Weather
- #17 of 51366 mild days0 hot · 0 cold
- Income tax
- #1 of 5113.3% top rateCalifornia
What you need
- 2+ yrs C++ embedded real-time systems
- BS in CS, EE, Aerospace or related
- US citizenship, DoD clearance eligible
- Strong embedded software concepts
- Linux/GNU toolchains, Bash/Python
What you'll do
- Design flight software for GNC, payload, autonomy
- Develop software for imaging, sensors, propulsion
- Write unit, integration, regression tests
- Integrate across simulators, HIL, flight hardware
- Support on-orbit commissioning and operations
Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!
Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Flight Software Engineer to join our growing and fast‑paced spacecraft development team. Reporting to the Flight Software Engineering Manager, you will design, develop, test, and maintain the mission‑critical software that controls our satellites and ensures successful spacecraft operations in orbit.
You will contribute across the full spacecraft software lifecycle—from requirements definition and architecture through on‑orbit commissioning and operations. This role offers the opportunity to work hands‑on with real spacecraft hardware, simulation environments, and a multidisciplinary engineering team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain flight software modules responsible for guidance, navigation, control, payload operations, power management, communication, autonomy, and fault protection.
- Develop software for diverse mission payloads, including imaging systems, advanced sensors, and propulsion‑based maneuvers such as aero‑braking and lunar descent profiles.
- Write comprehensive unit, integration, and regression tests using existing frameworks to ensure robust, reliable, and verifiable flight code.
- Integrate and validate software across multiple environments, including high‑fidelity simulators, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testbeds, engineering development units (EDUs), and flight‑like spacecraft hardware.
- Collaborate with systems engineering, GNC, avionics, payload, and ground software teams to define software requirements, architecture, and interfaces.
- Participate in on‑orbit commissioning and support early operations of newly launched satellites, assisting in debugging, telemetry analysis, and software tuning.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, including CI/CD pipelines, coding standards, and documentation.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- 2+ years of experience developing C++ applications for embedded, real‑time, or safety‑critical systems (Level II).
- Strong understanding of embedded software concepts such as memory management, concurrency, and real‑time constraints.
- Highly motivated, self‑directed, and able to operate effectively in a fast‑moving team environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- U.S. Citizenship with eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
Additional Differentiators
- Hands-on experience using A.R.M. and Texas Instruments embedded processors and associated development environments.
- Proficiency with Linux development workflows and GNU toolchains (Make, GCC, GDB, etc.).
- Experience with scripting languages such as Bash and Python for automation and tooling.
- Experience within the aerospace industry, particularly in satellite or space‑mission software development.
Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!
Full-time positions only:
Benefits
- 100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
- 401(k) Match
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Education Reimbursement
- Competitive Paid Parental Leave
About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com
Physical Demands
An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.
Work Environment
The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.
Disclaimers
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.
Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].
Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.
And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.
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About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital, now a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, designs and manufactures small satellite bus platforms for defense and commercial constellations.
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