Skip to content

Open nowPosted 86 days ago

Staff Flight Software Engineer

Observable Space26 open roles

Pay
$180,000 – $230,000 a year
Where
Los Angeles, CA
Work mode
Hybrid
Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

Your applicationOpen nowStaff Flight Software EngineerObservable Space · Los Angeles, CA
  1. YouYes, apply to this one.

  2. CV RocketCV written for this posting.

  3. 25 readersRecruiter, hiring manager, skeptic. Round after round.

  4. CV RocketApplied on Observable Space's own form.

The reply lands in your private mailbox

3×more interviews than doing it yourself with ChatGPT.

The clock on this job

Early applications get read.

13.9% of postings close within 7 days. Measured by our own scanner across the market. Observable Space postings stay open a median of 60 days.

Share of postings closed within
  1. 2.2%1 day
  2. 4.7%3 days
  3. 13.9%7 days
  4. 22.4%14 days
  5. 38.1%30 days
  6. 59.0%60 days
This job: posted 86 days ago

Observable Space median: 60 days open

The posting

ABOUT OBSERVABLE SPACE

At Observable Space, we're redefining how humanity observes and connects with the universe. We're a vertically integrated, high-growth, space technology company building industry-leading precision optics platforms for Earth and in space. Our systems are trusted by thousands of customers, including NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, RTX, the US Space Force and the U.S. Department of War, leading research institutions and international partners.

We combine precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded compute, cloud orchestration, and developer-friendly APIs into world class products at scale with in-house manufacturing. From advanced ground stations, on-orbit sensor suites, free space optical lasercom, to distributed compute platforms, we deliver the foundational systems enabling continuous, real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.

Observable Space is backed by top-tier institutional investors including Lux Capital, Upfront Ventures, RTX Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners and Embedded Ventures. To learn more, visit observable.space http://observable.space.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly-motivated and hands-on Senior Software Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you’ll design, develop, and maintain flight software systems for spacecraft and telescope platforms. You’ll work with a multidisciplinary team of electrical, mechanical, optical, and software engineers to deliver reliable, fault-tolerant systems for ground-based and potential future space-based deployment.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Design and develop flight software for spacecraft and telescope systems, including command, control, and data handling (C&DH).

- Build and maintain software that interfaces directly with hardware components, sensors, and onboard subsystems.

- Architect systems for high reliability, fault tolerance, and long-duration autonomous operation.

- Implement communication protocols for telemetry, command uplink/downlink, and system coordination.

- Collaborate with electrical and hardware teams to ensure seamless integration between software and physical systems.

- Support hardware bring-up, integration, and debugging at the hardware/software boundary.

- Develop and implement fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) mechanisms.

- Support system testing, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and validation activities.

- Participate in and contribute to design reviews (PDR, CDR, etc.) and internal documentation.

- Provide engineering support during integration, testing, and system validation.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.

- 5+ years of experience in software engineering, embedded systems, or systems-level development.

- Strong programming skills in C/C++ or similar low-level languages.

- Experience developing software for embedded or hardware-integrated systems.

- Understanding of real-time systems, concurrency, and performance optimization.

- Familiarity with communication protocols and networking fundamentals.

- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.

- Effective communicator and collaborator.

- Demonstrated passion for aerospace, robotics, or complex systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience developing flight software for spacecraft, satellites, or aerospace systems.

- Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux environments.

- Understanding of fault-tolerant system design and reliability engineering.

- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments.

- Familiarity with space communication standards (e.g., CCSDS).

- Experience working in fast-paced, early-stage or startup environments.

- Basic scripting or automation (Python, MATLAB) for testing or data analysis.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Compensation – A salary package aligned with industry standards and your experience.

Equity Opportunities – Take part in our success with stock options.

Flexible Work Environment – Enjoy working from our office or in a hybrid work setup with the flexibility to work remotely part of the week. We require a minimum of 3 days per week in our office to support collaboration and team culture. (LA Office only)

Unlimited PTO (Salaried positions only) – Take the time you need with our flexible, trust-based vacation policy, including paid holidays. We encourage everyone to rest, recharge, and take care of themselves.

Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer for employees.

Cutting-Edge Tools – Get access to the latest hardware and software you need to do your best work.

Mission-Driven Culture – Be part of a team working on meaningful challenges with real-world impact.

Inclusive Team – We foster a supportive and diverse workplace where all voices are valued.

Observable Space is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

From $25, paid onceGet the CV for this job

What happens when you press

One press. We do the rest.

  1. A CV for this posting

    Written against Observable Space's own wording, from every piece of relevant proof in your profile.

  2. 25 readers review it

    Recruiter, hiring manager, skeptic and more read every draft, round after round. You get the best round.

    The review screen in CV Rocket: how each CV was read, round by round.
  3. We apply on Observable Space's form

    Our application engine gets through the hardest forms there are. Where a question needs you, AI suggests the best answer. Don't want us applying from our IP addresses? Use our Chrome extension: we apply straight from your own browser.

    An application in CV Rocket: every answer filled in on the employer's form.
  4. Every reply, sorted

    Observable Space's answer lands in your private mailbox, and we classify it on arrival: interview, question, rejection.

    The CV Rocket inbox: each employer reply classified as an interview, an action or a rejection.
  5. Reply with AI

    AI helps you write the email, checks it and sends it. We show you whether the recruiter read it.

  6. The interview in your calendar

    Full integration with your calendar. The invitation goes straight in.

    An interview invitation in the CV Rocket inbox, added to the candidate's calendar.
Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

Why it works

3×

more interviews than doing it yourself with ChatGPT.

ChatGPT writes a CV and never learns what happened to it. We see every reply. For each CV we know:

  • How it was written, and how the review scored it
  • When we applied, and how long after the posting went up
  • Which posting, which company, which city
  • Who got the interview, and who heard nothing

That is how we know which CVs get called.

Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

The numbers game

More applications. More interviews.

Every application goes out with its own CV, written for that posting and paid once. Send enough of them and the law of large numbers finds you the job.

By hand5–10
With CV Rocket100
applications a day

Nearby

Live postings like this one

Same employer first, then the same role elsewhere.

Before you press

Straight answers

Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.

What if my background isn't good enough?

We make the most of the background you have. The CV uses every piece of relevant proof your profile holds, and one of the 25 readers reads your whole profile and flags what the CV left out.

Do you really apply for me?

Yes, on the employer's own form, the hardest ones included. Where a question needs you, you answer it right there and AI suggests the best answer. Don't want us applying from our IP addresses? Use our Chrome extension: we apply straight from your own browser.

Is it a subscription?

No. You pay once per CV, from $25. Every application goes out with its own CV, written for that posting.

One job. One CV.
Paid once.

Pick the posting you want. We write for it, apply for you and catch the reply.

Get the CV for this job

From $25 per CV, paid once. No subscription.