Lead Flight Software Engineer, Special Programs

As a Lead Flight Software Engineer for Special Programs at Impulse Space, you will lead the design, development, integration, and operation of the software that powers some of the most agile delta-V spacecraft under development. You will work closely with GNC, avionics, propulsion, systems, and mission operations teams to deliver high-reliability software for responsive space missions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, integration, and verification of flight software for high-performance space vehicles produced at scale.
• Architect real-time flight software systems for responsive spacecraft, including command and telemetry, mission sequencing, autonomy, and fault management.
• Develop and integrate software for closed-loop control of propulsion, attitude control, and other time-critical vehicle systems.
• Develop detection and mitigation algorithms for anomalies such as sensor failures, actuator malfunctions, or radiation-induced faults.
• Mentor and provide technical direction to a team of flight software engineers.
• Support mission operations and troubleshoot real-time issues during ground integration, environmental testing, and on-orbit operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience developing C/C++ code for embedded systems in aerospace, with at least 1 year in a technical leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience of computer architecture, operating systems, deterministic real-time execution, and embedded networking.
• Experience with Embedded Linux in mission-critical environments.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Proven track record delivering flight software for spacecraft, launch vehicles, upper stages, OTVs, responsive spacecraft, or other high-performance aerospace systems.
• Experience with flight software frameworks, middleware, distributed software architectures, or publish/subscribe messaging patterns for mission-critical embedded systems.
• Participation in successful integration, testing, launch, and mission operations of a space vehicle.
• Experience collaborating with external suppliers, primes, or government customers to integrate software and hardware components across vehicle, payload, or mission systems.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead technical discussions and guide design trade studies.

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space 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.