{"id":1302891,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-senior-flight-software-engineer","title":"Senior Flight Software Engineer","company":{"id":2057930,"name":"AST SpaceMobile","domain":"ast-science.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/ast-science","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":90,"open_postings":197,"ghost_share":0.091,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":114,"computed_at":"2026-10-04T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Lanham, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":102000,"max_usd":191000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":910},"experience_years_min":6,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":false},{"name":"FreeRTOS","optional":false},{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"RTOS","optional":false},{"name":"Verilog","optional":false},{"name":"VHDL","optional":false},{"name":"Bash","optional":true},{"name":"CMake","optional":true},{"name":"Git","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true},{"name":"Ruby","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-17T18:55:49Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-19","last_verified_at":"2026-10-04T22:38:12Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":17,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":16},"description":"AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.\nPosition Overview\nWe are seeking a Senior Flight Software Engineer with strong experience in embedded software development and FPGA/SoC technologies to join our Flight Software team in the United States.\nThis position will play a key role in designing, developing, integrating, testing, and supporting flight software for spacecraft systems and future space-based platforms. The Senior Flight Software Engineer will contribute across the full software development lifecycle, from initial architecture and requirements definition through system integration, verification, deployment, and operational support.\nAs a senior member of the team, this individual will also provide technical leadership, contribute to architectural decisions, coordinate with cross-functional engineering teams, and help ensure technical deliverables are completed according to program requirements and schedules.\nKey Responsibilities\nDesign, develop, test, integrate, and maintain embedded flight software from initial concept through subsystem integration and full-system deployment.\nDevelop and support core flight software used within spacecraft and related embedded systems.\nMaintain and modify HDL-based designs to provide functionality aligned with system and mission requirements.\nIntegrate microcontroller-based software into systems supporting spacecraft command, control, telemetry, and related functionality.\nDevelop and maintain software for real-time and resource-constrained embedded environments.\nParticipate in software and system architecture decisions, including evaluation of design alternatives and technical tradeoffs.\nServe as a senior technical contributor within the Flight Software team, helping translate program and system requirements into executable engineering tasks.\nCollaborate with electrical, FPGA, systems, test, operations, and other engineering disciplines to architect and implement new capabilities.\nSupport hardware/software integration, system verification, troubleshooting, and test activities.\nPerform debugging and root-cause analysis across software and hardware interfaces.\nParticipate in code reviews, design reviews, testing, and technical documentation activities.\nHelp coordinate technical milestones, schedules, deliverables, and engineering dependencies.\nSupport existing systems as well as the development of future spacecraft platforms.\nQualifications\n6+ years of professional experience in embedded software or firmware development.\nStrong proficiency in C and C++, including modern C++ standards such as C++11 and later.\nDemonstrated experience with software architecture, design, implementation, debugging, and testing.\nExperience developing software for embedded and resource-constrained systems.\nExperience working with FPGAs and/or SoCs.\nProficiency with an HDL such as Verilog, VHDL, or equivalent.\nExperience with logic simulation, HDL design verification, and hardware/software integration.\nExperience working in multi-threaded software environments.\nStrong understanding of concurrency, synchronization, and inter-process communication concepts.\nExperience developing software for a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) environment.\nFamiliarity with FreeRTOS or comparable real-time operating systems.\nExperience with embedded communication protocols and interfaces such as:\nRS-232\nRS-485\nCAN\nSPI\nSimilar serial or embedded communication technologies\nExperience using embedded debugging interfaces such as SWD and JTAG.\nHands-on experience with engineering and laboratory equipment, including:\nOscilloscopes\nLogic analyzers\nMultimeters\nAbility to read, interpret, and troubleshoot circuit diagrams and electrical schematics.\nComfortable working in Linux environments and using command-line development tools.\nExperience with contemporary software development workflows, including source control, code reviews, unit testing, issue tracking, and continuous integration.\nStrong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.\nEducation\nBachelor's or Master's degree in:\nComputer Engineering\nElectrical Engineering\nAerospace Engineering\nComputer Science\nSoftware Engineering\nOr a related technical field\nEquivalent combinations of relevant education and professional experience may also be considered where appropriate.\nExperience\nMinimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in embedded software, firmware, flight software, or a closely related engineering discipline.\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience developing software for STM32 or similar embedded processor families.\nExperience using scripting languages such as Python, Bash, Ruby, or similar technologies.\nExperience with modern build systems and tooling, including CMake, Ninja, or comparable technologies.\nExperience developing and maintaining cross-compilation toolchains and embedded build environments.\nPrevious experience supporting integration, verification, and test activities for complex hardware/software systems.\nExperience with aerospace, spacecraft, robotics, autonomous systems, or other high-reliability embedded applications.\nExperience troubleshooting issues spanning software, firmware, FPGA, and electrical hardware boundaries.\nFamiliarity with software development practices appropriate for reliable or mission-critical embedded systems.\nSoft Skills\nStrong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to extract, clarify, and document detailed technical requirements.\nProven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional engineering teams.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nAbility to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to individuals from different engineering disciplines.\nStrong organizational skills with the ability to track deadlines, deliverables, dependencies, and team commitments.\nDemonstrated technical leadership and the ability to help guide engineering efforts from requirements through completion.\nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills.\nMeticulous attention to detail across software development, documentation, testing, and project deliverables.\nAbility to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced engineering environment.\nTechnology Stack\nThe successful candidate should have experience with many of the following technologies and concepts:\nLanguages: C, C++, modern C++ (C++11+), Python/Bash or similar scripting languages\nEmbedded Systems: Microcontrollers, SoCs, embedded processors\nFPGA/HDL: Verilog, VHDL, logic simulation, design verification\nOperating Systems: RTOS, FreeRTOS, Linux\nEmbedded Interfaces: RS-232, RS-485, CAN, SPI and similar protocols\nDebugging: SWD, JTAG and embedded debugging tools\nConcurrency: Multi-threading, synchronization, concurrency, inter-process communication\nBuild Systems: CMake, Ninja, cross-compilation workflows\nDevelopment Practices: Git, unit testing, code review, continuous integration, issue tracking\nLaboratory Equipment: Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters\nHardware Integration: Circuit diagrams, schematics, hardware/software interfaces\nPhysical Requirements\nAbility to work in a standard office and engineering environment.\nAbility to use a computer, keyboard, and standard office equipment for extended periods.\nAbility to perform occasional hands-on hardware integration and troubleshooting activities in a laboratory environment.\nAbility to safely use standard electronic test and measurement equipment as required by the position.\nThis job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands. \nAST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.","description_format":"text","description_chars":8508,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":6,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Telecommunications"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-26T12:21:47Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 12 · green card filings: 3","filings_12m":12,"filings_prev_12m":2,"green_card_filings_12m":3,"median_offered_wage_usd":139833,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-03T21:08:04+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":4}],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":16,"expected_fill_days":114,"reasons":["conf:0","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-04T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-senior-flight-software-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/ast-science-senior-flight-software-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-05T00:37:46Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":814,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":4186,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-06T00:00:00Z"}}}