Senior Satellite Flight Software Engineer (Rust)

About Lynk

Lynk is the inventor of satellite direct to device or D2D technology, and has the world’s only commercial license from the FCC to operate a commercial D2D system. Today, Lynk allows mobile network operators' subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified, mobile devices. Lynk’s service has been tested and proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries and is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 40 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries.

Our technology will enable all 8 billion people on the planet to stay connected with the existing standard phone in their pocket. Everywhere. No matter what.

By joining Lynk, you will have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of billions. Your mission will be to bring mobile broadband to billions, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, and save countless lives.
Job Summary

The Senior Satellite Flight Software Engineer at Lynk will be developing a variety of flight software applications for commanding and controlling our satellites. This includes developing our satellite command and data handling system software, in addition to supporting software for both its primary (payload) and secondary radio communications functions. The software will initially be tested on the satellite prototype in a lab environment “flatsat” that simulates orbit operations. The software engineer will also be responsible for implementing methods of data acquisition to ensure successful testing, verification, and validation.

We build spacecraft fast! So, the perfect candidate for this role will have significant previous experience designing, developing, and testing software on rapid timelines. We are looking for engineers that enjoy a challenge and have a track record of creative thinking to solve unconventional problems.

Attention... Experience with satellites is not a requirement for this position. If you are a systems-level software engineer with a passion for tackling new and exciting domains, do not hesitate to apply! We are always looking for talented individuals that can bring a new perspective.

Core Responsibilities
You will be responsible for design, development, and testing of all spacecraft flight software including that for our spacecraft Command & Data Handling, Power, Communications, and Guidance, Navigation, & Control Systems. This includes:

• Developing Linux applications that implement the major functions required by our satellite flight system.

• Writing this software in Rust targeting an embedded Linux environment.

• Working in a small, agile team to manage the software development lifecycle (requirements definition, design, implementation, test, and verification) for individual projects.

• Helping to create policies and best practices for the flight software team’s usage of the Rust programming language.

• Creating embedded software to interact with satellite devices/electronics using CAN, I2C, SPI, RS-422, RS-485, etc. protocols.

• Implementing inter-application coordination and communications using standard inter-process communication or IPC mechanisms available in Linux.

• Developing test software to support unit, integration, and system testing of all flight software functions.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Software, Electrical, Aerospace, or in a related engineering field.

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.

• Advanced knowledge of the Rust programming language.

• Demonstrated experience working with multiple programming languages, such as, C, C++, Python, Rust, operating systems, and development environments.

• Demonstrated experience with all phases of the software development life cycle.

• Experience with developing software to interact with hardware devices.

• Experience with inter-process communication or IPC mechanisms.

• Experience with the following: Linux, Git, CI/CD.

Helpful Qualifications

• Experience developing and testing software for SmallSats / CubeSats.

• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop integration and testing.

• Experience with the following: Protocol Buffers, ZeroMQ, gRPC.

Job Location

Washington, DC area