Principal Flight Software Engineer

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building innovative aerospace technologies that advance the future of space transportation.

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Principal Flight Software Engineer (Team Lead) to lead the development of the flight software stack for Nyx. In this critical role, you will guide a team of talented engineers in building and validating the software systems that control and operate the spacecraft-from launch to docking, re-entry, and recovery.

You will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership to deliver high-reliability software under tight mission timelines. You will drive architectural decisions, enforce rigorous testing standards, and foster a culture of ownership, simulation-driven development, and cross-functional collaboration with other subsystems such as GNC, avionics, propulsion, and mission operations.

This is a high-impact leadership position where your decisions directly influence mission success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of flight software engineers in the design, implementation, testing, and integration of spacecraft software.

• Own the technical roadmap and execution for flight software, including architecture, modularity, and interfaces across avionics and vehicle subsystems.

• Set high standards for code quality, test coverage, simulation fidelity, and system robustness.

• Drive development in modern C++ (C++17 or newer) and Python, enabling safe and efficient spacecraft operations in real-time environments.

• Oversee the development of test infrastructure, including unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, to ensure flight readiness.

• Collaborate closely with teams across systems engineering, GNC, propulsion, avionics, and mission operations to define requirements, resolve interface challenges, and validate end-to-end behavior.

• Participate in and lead code reviews, software audits, flight software simulations, and mission rehearsals.

What we would love to see from you

• Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer) and Python.

• Experience with real-time systems, embedded development, or spacecraft software.

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex technical problems and drive them to resolution.

• Familiarity with software testing methodologies and simulation tools.

• Excellent cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration skills.

• Good understanding of math & physics

• Focus on detail, quality, and testing

• Experience with CI/CD systems and build systems

Nice to have

• Knowledge of safety critical and real-time critical software and familiarity with RTOS

• Good understanding of communication protocols such as: TCP/IP, UART, CAN Bus and serialization

• Experience with automotive or flight software frameworks

• Background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft systems, or space mission lifecycle.

• Experience with industry standards such as AUTOSAR, ECSS, DO-178

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind

• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.

The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.