Flight Software Engineer Staff, Space Protection Programs
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 8, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 13, 2026. Lockheed Martin scores A on the Alion truth index.
Standard Job Description
Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more - we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.
Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you.
Space Protection Programs (SPP) is seeking an experienced Staff Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and delivery of mission-critical spacecraft flight software and embedded systems. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives in complex, highly integrated environments and can lead technical execution across software, hardware, systems engineering, and integration/test activities.
The selected candidate will lead development efforts spanning the full software lifecycle including architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification, and system bring-up. This individual is expected to operate with a high degree of technical ownership and execution leadership, guiding teams through complex software and hardware integration challenges while supporting Agile program execution.
This position requires strong technical depth in embedded software development, system integration, and software architecture, as well as the ability to coordinate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and program stakeholders.
Experience with C/C++, Python, Linux-based development environments, and object-oriented design principles is required. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in dynamic mission environments, balancing technical execution, integration priorities, and evolving program needs while mentoring less experienced engineers and driving execution toward delivery milestones.
In this role you will:
- Lead embedded software development, software integration, and software test activities for mission-critical spacecraft and payload systems
- Lead the architecture, design, implementation, integration, and verification of complex CSCs, CSCIs, and subsystem software capabilities
- Drive software-software, hardware-software, and system-level integration activities across multidisciplinary teams
- Support hardware/software co-design, system bring-up, and troubleshooting activities in embedded and real-time environments
- Operate as a leading member of an Agile development team, supporting Agile Release Planning, Sprint Planning, backlog refinement, and execution coordination
- Help ensure work is decomposed, execution-ready, and aligned with integration sequencing and program milestones
- Provide technical mentorship and peer leadership to software and systems engineering teams
- Identify technical risks, integration concerns, and execution challenges early and help drive resolution paths
- Act as a technical role model through hands-on execution, collaboration, and ownership
- Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Basic Qualifications
- Ability to architect and design software solutions addressing complex embedded and distributed system problems
- Strong embedded programming experience in C/C++ and Python
- Experience working in Linux-based development environments
- Experience with software integration, debugging, and troubleshooting across hardware/software interfaces
- Comfortable operating within Agile Scrum development environments
Desired Skills
- Knowledge of embedded systems architectures and experience testing and integrating embedded systems
- Experience integrating complex software systems with real-time, high-performance, and/or timing-constrained requirements
- Experience with MPSoC, FPGA-adjacent, and heterogeneous compute architectures
- Experience developing or integrating software on AMD/Xilinx Versal or related heterogeneous compute architectures supporting embedded, real-time, or high-performance mission processing applications
- Experience with hardware/software co-design and embedded platform bring-up activities
- Demonstrated experience using Agile methodologies in the development, integration, and test of complex software systems
- Experience leading integration efforts across software, systems engineering, hardware, and test organizations
- Experience supporting system architecture, interface definition, and integration strategy development
- Experience with process improvement initiatives and execution optimization
- Experience supporting programs across the full lifecycle from concept development through operations and sustainment
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative technical environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction and build consensus across engineering teams
- Active TS Security Clearance
#LMSpaceSoftwareEng
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $135700.00 - $251900.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow-both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.