Spacecraft Flight Software Engineer

M9 Solutions•Los Angeles, CA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

M9 Solutions is seeking a Spacecraft Flight Software Engineer to work onsite in support of a government contract for a client located in Los Angeles, CA. An active Top Secret clearance is required. This role involves building and maintaining spacecraft FSW architecture, implementing new software components, and ensuring the smooth operation of core system tasks. The engineer will develop drivers, design memory solutions, and implement critical boot behaviors. Management of the codebase using Gitlab, including CI/CD pipelines, and execution of comprehensive test campaigns are key responsibilities. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and documentation of design processes are also essential. The role requires providing technical guidance on FSW architectures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, or similar field.
5-7 years of flight software experience in aerospace or related fields, with heavy emphasis on hands-on spacecraft code development and testing.
Proficiency in Python, C/C++, and embedded Linux.
Strong proficiency with Gitlab and CI/CD workflows.
Strong ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic environment while maintaining a positive and professional attitude.
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Must possess or be willing and eligible to obtain a United States Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in frameworks such as FPrime or CFS, and strong grasp of core computer architecture principles including operating systems, memory architecture, and I/O interfaces.
Demonstrated expertise with hardware-level protocols (I2C, CAN, UART, RS485, etc.) and interfacing with FPGAs and GPIOs.
Experience working in clean room environments and adhering to ESD protocols.
Experience with memory management, file systems, and bootloader development for embedded systems.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain spacecraft FSW architecture.
Implement new software components and communication protocols to support mission-specific payload requirements.
Ensure the smooth operation of core system tasks, including telemetry collection, precise time-stamping, rate group scheduling, and robust bus communications.
Develop drivers and logic for interfacing with FPGAs and GPIOs to control spacecraft hardware.
Design and manage memory storage solutions, making critical design decisions regarding volatile vs non-volatile memory to ensure data integrity.
Develop and implement critical boot behaviors, partition swapping logic, and fail-safe recovery modes.
Manage the codebase using Gitlab, including the development and maintenance of CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and development.
Execute comprehensive test campaigns on flatsat testbeds and flight units to verify software performance under flight-like conditions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate subsystems with the spacecraft main compute element.
Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Document design processes, test results, and system performance.
Provide technical guidance on FSW architectures to fellow engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.