Software Engineer

Outpost • Los Angeles, CA

12d • $150,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and precisely enabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We're a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with.

The Team
We're looking for a Software Engineer to design, build, and test the flight and ground software behind Outpost's return vehicles. This role spans everything from software that flies on the vehicle to the tools and infrastructure that support testing, telemetry, and operations. You'll work closely with avionics, GN&C, and integration and test teams, and you'll have direct ownership over the systems you build from design through flight.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong proficiency in C++, Python, or similar languages used in flight or embedded software
• Understanding of software development best practices: version control, testing, code review
• Ability to work cross-functionally with avionics, GN&C, and test teams
• Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working in a fast-paced environment
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with real-time or embedded systems a plus
• Experience with flight software, GN&C, or autonomy systems
• Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Background at a launch vehicle, satellite, or spacecraft company
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and test automation

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test flight and ground software for the return vehicle
• Support software integration with avionics and GN&C systems
• Build tools and infrastructure to support vehicle testing, telemetry, and data analysis
• Debug and resolve software issues during integration, test, and flight operations
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define software requirements
• Support flight readiness reviews and mission operations as needed

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-provided short- and long-term disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• 9 days of paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Daily DoorDash lunch stipend
• Unlimited snacks, coffee, and tea

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level