Flight Software Engineer (Early Career)
About The Position
Rendezvous Robotics is seeking an early-career software or computer engineer to help develop flight software for electromagnetic self-assembling spacecraft components. The role is based with a small team in Golden, Colorado, working across hardware, software, and systems engineering as the company progresses from flight demonstration toward operational systems. The engineer will develop flight software in C and C++, work with embedded Linux on flight computers, and write microcontroller firmware for spacecraft sensors and actuators. The role also includes building tests, continuous integration, and hardware-in-the-loop setups, as well as integrating new boards into the software stack. The company will help the successful candidate learn how to design software for space, including fault tolerance, radiation upsets, and updating vehicles already in orbit. This role is intended for candidates graduating by summer 2027 or professionals with two years or less of relevant experience; internships and co-ops do not count toward that experience limit. Candidates graduating in 2027 would start in summer 2027, while candidates already working may be able to start sooner. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.
Requirements
- BS or MS in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, completed by summer 2027.
- Two years or less of relevant professional experience; internships and co-ops do not count toward this limit.
- Programming ability in C or C++, demonstrated through coursework, research, or projects.
- Experience writing software that communicates with physical hardware such as a microcontroller, sensor, motor, or robot.
- Comfort working in Linux from the command line and using git.
- Working understanding of memory, pointers, and how programs run on a processor.
- Meet the stated U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.
Nice To Haves
- Leadership in an engineering student organization such as Formula SAE, a rocketry club, a CubeSat or satellite team, a robotics team, or Solar Car, especially with ownership of vehicle software or electronics through competition or flight.
- Internship or co-op experience in embedded, aerospace, robotics, or automotive software.
- Microcontroller firmware experience with STM32, ESP32, or similar, on an RTOS or bare metal.
- Experience with serial buses such as UART, SPI, and I2C, and bringing up a new device from its datasheet.
- Python for testing and tooling, plus CMake and CI.
- Experience with flight software or robotics frameworks such as F Prime or ROS.
Responsibilities
- Get up to speed on writing software for space, including fault tolerance, radiation upsets, and updating vehicles already in orbit.
- Develop flight software in C and C++, ranging from device drivers and firmware to components that connect subsystems.
- Build images for embedded Linux flight computers, debug on target, and maintain the health of their services.
- Develop microcontroller firmware for vehicle sensors and actuators involved in movement and docking.
- Build tests, continuous integration, and hardware-in-the-loop setups to identify problems before they reach a vehicle.
- Bring new boards into the software stack in collaboration with the avionics team.
Benefits
- Stock options may be available as long-term incentives.
- Comprehensive medical coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Dental coverage.
- Short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Paid parental leave.
- May accrue three weeks of paid vacation.
- Ten or more paid holidays per year.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
