Senior Flight Software Engineer, Turion Space
$140-190k
+ company stock
More information about location
Office located in Irvine, CA
Satellite manufacturer & operator
Open for applications
Satellite manufacturer & operator
21-100 employees
Open for applications
$140-190k
+ company stock
More information about location
Office located in Irvine, CA
21-100 employees
Company mission
To advance space sustainability, bridge national security capability gaps, and realign incentives across the value chain in satellite manufacturing.
Role
Who you are
- Prior aerospace experience isn’t required. We’re looking for passionate software engineers who want to solve hard problems and make an impact
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- 5 Years of experience in embedded software development, including full lifecycle ownership from design to test and deployment
- Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python in a Linux or embedded environment
- Demonstrated experience writing high-reliability software that interfaces with hardware in real-time systems
- Proven ability to lead projects or technical domains independently, with minimal oversight
- The ability to obtain and maintain an active DOD Secret or Top Secret security clearance
- A passion for building in small, fast-moving teams
- Willingness to work extended hours or weekends to meet mission-critical deadlines
Desirable
- 7 years of experience developing embedded software for spacecraft, aerospace systems, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
- Deep familiarity with:
- Embedded Linux (e.g. Yocto, Buildroot), RTOS, file systems, and bootloaders
- Spacecraft protocols and standards: CCSDS, CAN, SPI, Ethernet/IP
- Software frameworks like NASA cFS, F Prime (F’), or similar architectures
- CI/CD tools and version control systems (e.g. Git, Jenkins)
- Simulation, test automation, and HIL environments (GTest, PyTest, custom frameworks)
- Experience in fault-tolerant architectures, real-time state machines, or autonomous control logic
- Prior technical leadership or mentorship experience
- An active DOD Secret or Top Secret Clearance
What the job involves
- We’re looking for a Senior Flight Software Engineer to design, build, and test embedded systems that directly control spacecraft behavior and performance
- You’ll work cross-functionally across hardware, systems, and mission ops to develop software that’s robust, real-time, and ready for space
- Own the full lifecycle of spacecraft flight software—from early architecture through development, test, and on-orbit operations
- Lead technical design and implementation of high-reliability embedded systems for spacecraft command and control, autonomy, and fault tolerance
- Develop simulation environments, test harnesses, and HIL setups to validate software in mission-representative conditions
- Drive root-cause analysis and troubleshooting efforts for system-level software and hardware interactions across development and flight
- Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, avionics, and mission ops teams to ensure end-to-end integration and performance
- Author and maintain critical documentation including software architecture docs, ICDs, verification plans, and test results
- Influence and improve team-wide software development practices, tooling, and design patterns
- Mentor junior engineers and help shape the flight software team’s culture, technical standards, and review processes
Application process
- Application Deadline: December 29, 2024
- Stage 1: Applied
- Stage 2: Review
- Stage 3: Technical Interview
- Stage 4: Take Home Assesment
- Stage 5: Final Interview
- Stage 6: Hired
Our take
To empower critical space missions, Turion Space builds and operates DROID Satellites that its clients can control through the company's operating system (known as Starfire).
The idea behind Turion's approach is to simplify satellite operations by making them non-configurable, instead handling day-to-day operations itself. In this way, the company helps its clients to eliminate friction between platform and bus suppliers, which can hinder the potential of missions.
To support the expansion of its operations, which include non-earth imaging, space debris removal and satellite servicing, the company has raised strategic funding. This positions it well to move towards its goal of producing 45 satellites annually by 2027.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Funding (2 rounds)
Dec 2022
$5m
EARLY VC
Sep 2021
$6.2m
SEED
Total funding: $11.2m
Company HQ
Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine, CA
Leadership
Ryan Westerdahl
(Co-Founder & CEO)Previously spent over 8 years at SpaceX, initially as a Propulsion Development Engineering Intern before becoming a Dynamics Engineer.
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