Senior Software Development Engineer – Satellite Software & Firmware Verified today

Portal Space Systems · Bothell, WA · Software · first seen 2026-07-30

Develop flight software for satellite platforms, including avionics, attitude determination and control systems, power management, and onboard data handling.
Design and implement firmware for embedded processors and FPGAs used in satellite subsystems.
Work with real-time operating systems (RTOS), embedded Linux, and space-grade processors.
Develop autonomous fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) mechanisms to ensure mission reliability.
Implement and optimize spacecraft communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, UART, Ethernet).
Perform software validation, verification, and integration with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations and satellite testbeds.
Support pre-flight testing, launch preparations, and in-orbit operations, including remote software updates.
Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., ECSS, NASA cFS, DO-178C, MISRA, CubeSat standards).
Collaborate with partner organizations on satellite software development.
Mentor junior software engineers.

Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
10+ years of experience developing flight software and firmware for satellites.
Strong proficiency in C, C++, and Python for embedded systems and satellite software.
Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and low-level hardware-software interfaces.
Knowledge of satellite communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, RS-422).
Understanding of fault tolerance, redundancy, and radiation-hardened computing for space missions.
Experience with version control systems (Git) and modern software development best practices.
Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, simulators, and satellite software testbeds.
Proven experience with flight-proven software deployed on operational satellites.

Familiarity with satellite command and data handling systems, embedded Linux, and space-grade processors.
Experience with CubeSats, small satellites, or GEO satellite constellations.
Knowledge of flight software frameworks (e.g., NASA Core Flight System cFS, FreeRTOS, VxWorks).
Background in autonomous spacecraft operations and AI-driven onboard decision-making.
Experience with secure satellite communications, encryption, and cybersecurity in space systems.