Flight software engineer

Company Description

Proteus Space accelerates the spacecraft definition and Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) life cycle from years to months, enabling customers to field responsive space assets on radically shorter timelines. The company delivers full design packages with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation, providing greater confidence in performance before deployment. Its approach combines transformational speed and scale with robust technical rigor, appealing to teams focused on rapid prototyping and innovation in space systems. Design specifications are supported by Government Purpose Data Rights and customer-owned deliverables, giving partners long-term control and flexibility over their solutions.

Role Description

The Flight Software Engineer is a full-time, hybrid role based in Los Angeles, CA, with flexibility for some work-from-home days. This role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining flight software for spacecraft, including core control algorithms, communication interfaces, and fault management logic. Day-to-day activities include writing and reviewing production-quality code, integrating software with hardware-in-the-loop test environments, and debugging issues across embedded platforms and ground tools. The engineer collaborates closely with systems, hardware, and AI&T teams to define requirements, ensure reliability, and support rapid iteration on flight software architectures. Responsibilities also include contributing to internal documentation, participating in design reviews, and improving development workflows and tooling.

Qualifications

• Strong Computer Science fundamentals, including data structures, algorithms, and operating systems.
• Proficiency in Software Development and Programming for embedded or real-time systems.
• Experience with Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and modern software design patterns.
• Familiarity with Back-End Development concepts, APIs, and distributed systems helpful for ground software interfaces.
• Experience with at least one systems programming language (e.g., C, C++, Rust) and a scripting language (e.g., Python).
• Comfort with Linux-based development environments, build systems, and version control (e.g., Git).
• Background in aerospace, robotics, or other safety-critical or real-time applications is a plus.
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams, communicate clearly, and own projects from design through deployment.