Flight Software Engineer
The Flight Software Engineer at Confidential Client supports NASA's SR-1 Freedom vehicle through the full software development life cycle, including systems engineering, design, development, testing, verification, validation, and certification. This role requires strong software development skills in C, C++, and Python within a Linux environment, hands-on problem solving, and on-site presence at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Research Services.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
You will join a team supporting flight software development for NASA programs. Work spans the full software lifecycle: systems engineering, design, implementation, test, verification & validation, and certification. Typical responsibilities include:
- Develop and maintain flight software using C, C++, and Python in a Linux development environment
- Implement and integrate embedded software components for avionics and spacecraft systems
- Design and execute unit, integration, and system-level tests; support verification & validation activities
- Troubleshoot and debug software on target hardware and in simulation environments
- Support interfaces with avionics buses (e.g., MIL-STD-1553) and real-time middleware
- Collaborate with systems engineers, test engineers, and simulation specialists to meet mission requirements
- Produce clear technical documentation and participate in design reviews and certification activities
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent experience
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience in software development
- Proficient in C and C++; working knowledge of Python
- Experience developing software in a Linux environment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated hands-on troubleshooting and problem-solving ability
Preferred / Desired Qualifications
- Experience with testing, verification, and validation of flight or embedded software
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-1553 and avionics interfaces
- Experience using simulation tools such as MATLAB and Simulink
- Knowledge of NASA Core Flight System (cFS)
- Background in embedded systems design and integration
- Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (VxWorks, Green Hills, or similar)
Location & Work Authorization
- This position requires on-site presence at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.
- Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is required due to federal contract requirements.
About the Team & Why This Role Matters
You’ll join a high-performance engineering team working on critical human spaceflight systems. The role offers exposure to flight software engineering, embedded systems integration, simulation-driven development, and opportunities to contribute directly to mission-critical software used by NASA programs.
Additional Details
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Work setting: On-site at Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX)
- Clearance/eligibility: U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency required for this federally funded role
- Confidential client is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
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