Job Description
About This Company
This visionary startup is building the foundation for a dynamic space economy where humanity can thrive beyond Earth. They are driven innovators, designing and manufacturing large-scale structures that enable both human and robotic exploration in Earth's orbit and beyond. If you’re inspired to shape the future of space, committed to continuous learning, and ready to push the boundaries of what’s possible, this is your opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking mission. Join a culture fueled by bold ideas and innovation, and help lay the groundwork for humanity’s next frontier.
About the Role
We need the leader to drive all of this company’s flight and ground software: the product, the process, the team, and the culture of excellence needed to do big things in space. You will directly influence flight, ground, data acquisition, and database software. We also need the hands-on leader who will directly implement software – we believe excellent software leaders can also write their own code.
Responsibilities:
Own all aspects of software product life cycle, including design, testing, and mission integration
Architect highly reliable, modular software systems and simulations to validate them
Set strategy for software tools and frameworks
Implement software processes and technical reviews
Develop unit-level through end-to-end software test campaigns
Deploy and maintain multiple software systems across the spacecraft
Assess changes to software configurations and design modifications from cross-team impacts
Build the team, including hiring, training, managing performance, and mentoring
Apply if: you thrive when you have the freedom to shape ambiguity into better solutions when faced with challenging projects
About You
You’re a successful candidate if you are a giver, not a taker. You make things happen. You are exceptional at several things, yet willing to take on efforts in areas of weakness. You don’t even know what “comfort zone” means.
Required Attributes
You should have many of the following:
Demonstrated ownership of complex projects
A proven history of successful software in launch vehicles or space systems
Experience deploying software for human-rated spacecraft
Excellent technical leadership and communication skills
Experience architecting and deploying fault-tolerant flight software
10+ years of experience in software development for launch vehicles or space systems
Proficiency developing software quality assurance methods
Familiarity with Software-in-the-loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop test systems
Strong knowledge and vision for data flow between software systems and hardware
Expertise in
C/C++
Linux
RTOS and Bare Metal
Git, CMake, and GNU tools
CAN, UART, 12C, SPI, Ethernet (UDP and TCP)
CI/CD (Jenkins preferred)
Common test frameworks such as gtest, gmock, pytest
Bonus Points for
Knowledge in GNC, compute and sense, and avionics
Experience implementing a variety of database types and configuration management tools
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About Compliance
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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.
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About AdAstra
This position is a direct hire, permanent placement for a client of AdAstra.
AdAstra's mission is building thriving teams within space, clean tech and defense startups.
Our commitment is to curate and close premier talent for our partners, achieved via specialized technical screening, personalized culture assessment, and high-touch candidate engagement. We are motivated to foster boundless team satisfaction and catalyze innovation for future generations, enabling inconceivable technology from Earth, to the stars.
Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adastrata