Embedded Flight Software Engineer

Job description

Team & Reporting Line: Mission and Space Segment - Reporting to Lead Satellite Systems

Our Mission  

At constellr, we use thermal intelligence from space to understand what is happening on Earth - where, when and at scale. Our satellite constellation delivers high-resolution land surface temperature data, giving governments, defence organisations, commercial operators and global institutions the intelligence they need to monitor change, assess risk and make better-informed decisions.

From national security and critical infrastructure to agriculture and climate resilience, constellr turns temperature into actionable intelligence for a changing world.

Your Role

You will join the constellr Mission & Space Segment team, playing a key role in shaping the onboard software that powers our satellite constellation across its full lifecycle - from early design through to in-orbit operations. 

This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you will help define how our satellites compute, behave, and evolve in space. Your work will directly influence the reliability, performance, and long-term success of constellr’s mission. 

You’ll collaborate closely across the business - working day-to-day with internal engineering teams, Product Assurance, Project Management, and Operations, as well as external suppliers. Together, you will help turn mission concepts into robust, flight-ready software systems. 

In addition to software development, you will contribute to system-level design decisions, support procurement and supplier technical alignment, and help ensure our onboard software is continuously validated, improved, and ready for operation in orbit. 

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain high-reliability onboard flight software in compliance with product assurance and safety standards.

• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to define, refine, and manage software requirements across all onboard satellite systems.

• Contribute to the definition and evolution of onboard software architecture, supporting both laboratory-based validation environments and in-orbit operational systems.

• Develop and implement robust Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) strategies to ensure resilience and autonomy of onboard systems.

• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of new software features and upgrades, working closely with external suppliers and development partners.

• Champion strong configuration management practices across all onboard software components to ensure traceability, integrity, and control.

• Define and drive verification and validation strategies, ensuring comprehensive testing and high confidence in flight software performance.

• Participate in end-to-end verification and validation activities for onboard systems and flight software.

• Ensure all software-whether developed in-house or delivered by suppliers-meets stringent technical, safety, and quality requirements.

• Support investigation and resolution of software anomalies and non-conformance issues, contributing to continuous improvement and system reliability.

• Help define and enhance the in-orbit software update process for satellites within the constellation fleet.

• Contribute to integration and testing activities using Flatsat environments and other ground-based simulation and validation platforms.

Job requirements

About you  

Required:  

We’re looking for someone with strong engineering fundamentals and real-world experience building software for complex, safety-critical or aerospace systems. 

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field  

• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and full software development lifecycles in complex technical environments  

• At least 4 years of experience in software development or software assurance, ideally in aerospace or other safety-critical domains  

• Experience with embedded software development, including familiarity with low-level hardware interfaces (e.g., CAN, Camera Link, or similar)  

• Exposure to FPGA-based systems and familiarity with relevant ECSS standards (especially Q-ST-60-02)  

• Solid grounding in software engineering principles, development methodologies, and lifecycle management tools  

• Experience with software testing frameworks, tools, and processes  

• Strong practical experience using Git and working within CI/CD pipelines  

• Proficiency in Python and C++ 

Nice to Have: 

These skills would further strengthen your profile, but are not essential: 

• Familiarity with ECSS standards and handbooks, including:  

  • ECSS-E-ST-40C  

  • ECSS-E-HB-40A  

  • ECSS-E-ST-20-04C  

  • ECSS-Q-ST-80C  

  • ECSS-Q-ST-60-03C  

  • ECSS-Q-ST-30-02C  

  • ECSS-E-ST-70-11C  

  • ECSS-E-ST-70-41C  

  • ECSS-E-HB-40-02A  

• Experience with space communication protocols such as CCSDS and CSP  

• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills  

• High attention to detail and a strong quality mindset  

• Confidence in identifying inconsistencies and improving technical standards  

• Clear communication skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams 

Why join constellr?

• High-Impact National Security Mission:  Be part of an ambitious mission to launch the world’s first commercial thermal infrared constellation, delivering sovereign-grade "behavioural" intelligence from space to close critical blind spots for defence, intelligence, and maritime surveillance agencies.
• Fast-Paced "New Space" Innovation:  Work at the leading edge of a rapidly evolving defence sector. By leveraging modern, agile New Space methodologies, you will help design, build, and deploy dual-use thermal payloads into operational orbit at a speed and scale that traditional aerospace models simply cannot match.
• Broad Interdisciplinary Exposure:  Accelerate your professional growth by collaborating daily with a diverse, international cohort of astrophysicists, software developers, and defence-system engineers.
• Inclusive & Scientific Culture:  Join a high-trust team deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and scientific excellence, where academic curiosity is paired with high autonomy and a flat hierarchy.
• Financial Upside & Well-being:  Benefit from a Virtual Share Option Plan (VSOP) for permanent employees, giving you a true stake in the company's growth, alongside highly flexible hybrid working models.