Lead Flight Software Engineer

Vast is looking for a Lead Flight Software Engineer to lead the team tasked with architecting and developing the onboard software systems needed to command and control an artificial-gravity commercial space station. This includes defining architectures and requirements, coordinating timelines, and leading development and verification planning. This role is based in Hawthorne, CA through the end of 2023 and will move to our new HQ in Long Beach, CA thereafter.

• Lead development of flight software for command and control of Vast’s Haven-1 space station
• Effectively communicate among engineering disciplines regarding the requirements and capabilities of the station’s flight software
• Manage the definition of software interfaces, APIs, and integration requirements for the software framework
• Oversee efforts to integrate flight software components, create and run tests, validate HITL, and release real-time solutions
• Code flight software algorithms for station systems and subsystems
• Develop and interface with a high-fidelity physics-based GNC simulator and with hardware-in-the-loop simulations
• Develop unit and integrated tests, and establish continuous integration framework for flight and ground software
• Mentor and train new team members to build a highly capable team

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience coding in C++ in a Linux environment
• 5+ years of experience developing software for fault-tolerant real-time systems such as spacecraft, automobiles and aircraft

Additional Qualifications and Preferred Skills:

• 1+ years of experience in a leadership role
• Experience with real-time operating systems running on embedded hardware
• Understanding of how space-born radiation can affect spacecraft computer systems and how to mitigate those effects 
• Experience working in a continuous build and test environment
• Familiarity with the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence)
• Network programming experience
• Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems
• Familiarity with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
• Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers