Senior Flight Software Engineer

Astroscale UK is looking for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our Flight Software team in Harwell, UK to help realise our vision for the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations.

This position will be part of the team responsible for the technical development of embedded real-time software for our future orbital debris missions including the ELSA-M service to capture and retire multiple satellites.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a professional background in real-time embedded software looking to take the next step in their career and be part of exciting and innovative projects in space.

This role will focus on flight software development for satellite onboard computers; defining solutions based on requirements, working with other subsystem teams on software needs, performing verification, integration, and test activities. Responsibilities will involve integrating Computer Vision and Guidance, Navigation and Control software into the flight software environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and verify onboard Flight Software for Astroscale spacecraft.
• Coordinate with other teams at sub-system and system level to identify software needs and solutions
• Participate in the design reviews and address any actions relevant to the flight software
• Act as a subject matter in Flight Software design and development.
• Support knowledge transfer from Astroscale teams globally and provide technical review inputs to projects across the Astroscale organisation

Essential Skills

• Bachelor or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or relevant engineering / science discipline.
• Experience on FSW development for Space projects
• Knowledge of ECSS standard for FSW
• Experience in software development for real-time embedded systems (C/C++).
• Knowledge of software development methodologies & embedded software engineering.
• Experience of implementing real-time systems and software.
• Proactive and self-managing, able to plan and effectively lead areas of responsibility whilst contributing collaboratively within a close-knit team

Desirable Skills

• Experience developing software for the Space sector.
• Experience of development for VxWorks or RTEMS platforms
• Experience of all stages of mission design lifecycle from initial concept to design, test, and operations.
• Familiarity with UML.
• Familiarity with commonly used protocols and standards for spacecraft communications, such as CCSDS, CAN, Spacewire.
• Knowledge of cFS software framework.
• Experience of SPARC V8 or PowerPC architecture.
• Linux system administration, shell scripts, make, etc.
• Development on Linux systems.
• Knowledge of scripting languages.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• Optional 9/75 working pattern
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance if applicable
• Visa sponsorship for employees considered
• New state of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events 

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell)

About Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space.

Since our first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions, establishing the company as a leader in on-orbit servicing. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat OneWeb. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, service and remove, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked.

At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astrsocale is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.