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++ 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
Similar Jobs
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Designs, develops, tests, and deploys safety-critical flight software for Relativity Space’s Terran R rocket. Responsibilities include architecting real-time systems, integrating guidance and control algorithms, processing vehicle sensor data, controlling equipment, developing telemetry infrastructure, supporting hardware and physics simulations, establishing engineering best practices, and mentoring junior engineers.
Top Skills:
C++Ci/CdFlatbuffersGpsHardware-In-The-Loop (Hitl)Hardware-Out-Of-The-Loop (Hootl)ImuLinuxProtocol BuffersRadarRustTcp/IpUdp
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
Develop and test flight software for spacecraft computers, integrate GNC algorithms, maintain command telemetry databases, support command scripting, build subsystem simulators, and create device drivers and communications libraries. The role involves embedded RTOS development, hardware integration, mission testing, and collaboration with ground-control software teams. This is a three-month onsite temporary engagement in Denver or Long Beach, with potential conversion to regular employment.
Top Skills:
Azure RtosCC++CanEmbedded LinuxEthernetHitlI2CRs422Rs485RtlinuxRustSitlSpiTcp/IpUdpZig
Aerospace
Develop and test embedded flight software for spacecraft using RTOS and embedded Linux. Responsibilities include writing hardware drivers, unit testing within continuous integration, hardware-in-the-loop validation, requirements development, code reviews, design reviews, and supporting on-orbit flight operations. The role requires C and C++, embedded software experience, and a Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.
Top Skills:
CC++Can/Can-FdContinuous IntegrationEmbedded LinuxReal-Time Operating Systems (Rtos)RustUdp/Tcp
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
