Recent Graduate - Software Engineer I

Katalyst Description:

Katalyst is an American technology company focused on dynamic space operations.  We are building a fleet of dual-use multipurpose robotic space vehicles to create the future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, resupply and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space exploration that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture:

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. You’ll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. You’ll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best. 

What You’ll Do  

• Contribute directly to the design, development, integration, test, and operation of spacecraft software, including flight software, embedded and real-time systems, autonomy, simulation, mission software, and ground systems. 

• Own well-scoped software engineering problems from requirements and architecture through implementation, unit and integration testing, debugging, documentation, deployment, and closure with support from senior engineers. 

• Work hands-on with flight and embedded software, Linux environments, C/C++ and Python codebases, simulators, hardware-in-the-loop systems, networking, telemetry, logs, test infrastructure, and real spacecraft interfaces rather than operating only at the documentation layer. 

• Participate in design and code reviews, software integration, simulation campaigns, hardware-in-the-loop testing, anomaly investigations, mission-readiness activities, and operational support; communicate software behavior, risks, assumptions, and decisions clearly. 

• Collaborate across GNC, electrical, mechanical, propulsion, systems, mission operations, and test teams to understand software interfaces and system-level impacts on spacecraft behavior and mission performance. 

• Build engineering judgment by comparing expected software behavior, simulations, interface assumptions, timing, telemetry, and test results against hardware-in-the-loop, integration, and operational data, identifying discrepancies, and iterating toward reliable mission software. 

• Document requirements, assumptions, interfaces, architecture, code behavior, test results, procedures, and technical decisions so others can review, reproduce, maintain, test, and integrate the work. 

• Take increasing ownership as technical capability grows, progressing from supervised implementation and test tasks toward independent feature-, service-, interface-, or subsystem-level responsibility. 

• Support spacecraft mission execution by helping translate mission objectives and constraints into credible software architectures, algorithms, interfaces, test approaches, operational tools, and mission-support capabilities. 

What We’re Looking For  

Required  

• Bachelor's degree completed, or expected before start date, in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Applied Math, or a closely related technical field. 

• Strong academic or project-based grounding in data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, operating systems, embedded or real-time software, networking, software design, controls/autonomy software, or related software engineering fundamentals, with the ability to explain technical reasoning from first principles. 

• Demonstrated hands-on software engineering experience through internships, research, student spacecraft or robotics teams, capstone projects, personal projects, open-source work, laboratories, competitive programming, or prior employment. 

• Ability to break down ambiguous software problems, identify assumptions and interfaces, design appropriate architectures or algorithms, make reasonable implementation tradeoffs, and validate work through unit tests, simulation, integration testing, hardware-in-the-loop, telemetry, or data. 

• Clear written and verbal technical communication, including the ability to explain what was personally architected, coded, integrated, tested, deployed, or debugged versus what was completed by a team. 

• Comfort learning new spacecraft software architectures, interfaces, embedded platforms, tools, protocols, test methods, and mission concepts quickly in an environment where responsibilities may evolve with program needs. 

• Ability to collaborate closely with GNC, electrical, mechanical, propulsion, systems, test, and mission-operations engineers and accept direct technical feedback without losing ownership of the problem. 

• Ability to comply with applicable export-control requirements and customer-access restrictions. 

Your Ideal Background  

Preferred   

• Internship, research, co-op, or project experience in spacecraft, aerospace, robotics, autonomy, embedded systems, real-time software, defense technology, high-reliability software, or another technically demanding environment. 

• Experience taking a software feature, embedded application, autonomy component, simulation, service, or interface from concept and design into implementation, integration, test, deployment, or operation and using the results to drive changes. 

• Exposure to C/C++, Python, embedded or real-time software, Linux, networking, testing, simulation, robotics, autonomy, hardware-in-the-loop environments, flight software, or mission / ground software. 

• Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work hands-on in the office, lab, integration, or test environment as required and to support occasional extended hours during critical test or mission activities. 

Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $80,000 - $105,000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.