Lead Flight Software Engineer, Impulse Space
Special Programs
$150-200k
Office located in Redondo Beach, CA
In-space mobility company
Be an early applicant
In-space mobility company
201-500 employees
Be an early applicant
$150-200k
Office located in Redondo Beach, CA
201-500 employees
Company mission
To accelerate humanity's future in space through efficient transportation anywhere.
Role
Who you are
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of professional experience developing C/C++ code for embedded systems in aerospace, with at least 1 year in a technical leadership role
- Demonstrated experience of computer architecture, operating systems, deterministic real-time execution, and embedded networking
- Experience with Embedded Linux in mission-critical environments
Desirable
- Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility
- Proven track record delivering flight software for spacecraft, launch vehicles, upper stages, OTVs, responsive spacecraft, or other high-performance aerospace systems
- Experience with flight software frameworks, middleware, distributed software architectures, or publish/subscribe messaging patterns for mission-critical embedded systems
- Participation in successful integration, testing, launch, and mission operations of a space vehicle
- Experience collaborating with external suppliers, primes, or government customers to integrate software and hardware components across vehicle, payload, or mission systems
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead technical discussions and guide design trade studies
What the job involves
- As a Lead Flight Software Engineer for Special Programs at Impulse Space, you will lead the design, development, integration, and operation of the software that powers some of the most agile delta-V spacecraft under development
- You will work closely with GNC, avionics, propulsion, systems, and mission operations teams to deliver high-reliability software for responsive space missions
- Lead the design, implementation, integration, and verification of flight software for high-performance space vehicles produced at scale
- Architect real-time flight software systems for responsive spacecraft, including command and telemetry, mission sequencing, autonomy, and fault management
- Develop and integrate software for closed-loop control of propulsion, attitude control, and other time-critical vehicle systems
- Develop detection and mitigation algorithms for anomalies such as sensor failures, actuator malfunctions, or radiation-induced faults
- Mentor and provide technical direction to a team of flight software engineers
- Support mission operations and troubleshoot real-time issues during ground integration, environmental testing, and on-orbit operations
Our take
Impulse Space is developing a line of orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) that enhance satellite manoeuvrability in space. The company offers products like Mira, for last-mile satellite deliveries and Helios, which can move spacecraft from low Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit in under 24 hours.
Recognizing the strategic value of manoeuvrable spacecraft, the US Space Force awarded Impulse a $34.5M contract for two missions set for 2026. These missions, Victus Surgo and Victus Salo, will demonstrate in-space operations and enhance space domain awareness, showcasing the Space Force's focus on quickly responding to threats in a congested space environment.
Alongside this, the company secured substantial funding that will allow it to expand its operations and advance its OTV technology. With a proven track record of successful missions and strategic partnerships with the Department of Defense, Impulse is well-positioned to lead in the growing market for responsive satellite services.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Funding (last 2 of 7 rounds)
Jun 2026
$500m
SERIES D
Jun 2025
$300m
SERIES C
Total funding: $1.1bn
Company benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision: Enjoy the best medical, dental and optical coverage money can buy. We've got you and your family covered for all eventualities
- Company Ownership: You’ll be contributing to Impulse's success, so you deserve to share in it. All full-time employees receive a meaningful equity allocation
- Flexible PTO Policy: We believe in work-life harmony more so than "balance". When you are happy & fulfilled outside of work, you will be more productive when you're in it. We offer generous PTO accrual to our full-time employees
Company HQ
South Redondo, Redondo Beach, CA
Leadership
Thomas Mueller
(Founder, CEO & CTO)Prior to founding Impulse Space in 2021, they spent almost 2 decades at SpaceX, initially as a VP of Propulsion Engineering before becoming the Propulsion CTO.
Salary benchmarks
We don't have enough data yet to provide salary benchmarks for this role.
Submit your salary to help other candidates with crowdsourced salary estimates.
Share this job
View 30 more jobs at Impulse Space