Design, develop, integrate, and verify real-time flight software for GNC, command/telemetry, mission sequencing, autonomy, fault management, and closed-loop control. Implement deterministic features in an RTOS/embedded Linux environment, develop anomaly detection/mitigation, participate in code reviews, and support ground integration, testing, and on-orbit operations.
As a Flight Software Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for the design, development, and integration of the software that powers our Space Vehicles. You will work closely with avionics engineers, GNC engineers, propulsion engineers, and other cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability, high-performance software for in-space transportation.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design, implementation, integration, and verification of software for:
- Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms
- Command and telemetry handling
- Mission sequencing, autonomy, and fault management
- Closed-loop control of propulsion, attitude control, and other time-critical systems
- Implement features for Impulse’s real-time flight software framework to meet deterministic performance requirements in space environments.
- Develop detection and mitigation algorithms for anomalies such as sensor failures, actuator malfunctions, or radiation-induced faults.
- Direct and participate in code reviews, ensuring compliance with software safety, reliability, and maintainability standards.
- 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 degrees
- 2+ years writing C/C++ code for an embedded system or vehicle of some kind (robot, car, drone, spacecraft, etc)
- Demonstrated understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and computer networking
- Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or with Embedded Linux
- Experience using version control, test cases, and other software best practices
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Proven track record delivering flight software for spacecraft— including launch vehicles, OTVs, upper stages, or other in-space propulsion systems.
- Familiarity with NASA cFS, ROS2, or custom middleware for space applications.
- 4+ years of demonstrated experience in designing software for deterministic timing and hard real-time constraints.
- Participation in successful integration, testing, launch, and mission operations of a space vehicle.
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.
About
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Impulse Space El Segundo, California, USA Office
El Segundo, CA, United States, 90245
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