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Senior Flight Software Engineer

Turion Space

Turion Space

Software Engineering
Irvine, CA, USA
USD 140k-200k / year + Equity
Posted on Jul 23, 2025

Location

Irvine HQ

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

On-site

Department

Flight Software

Compensation

  • $140K – $200K

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks.

At Turion Space, we’re building spacecraft to secure Earth and expand humanity’s reach beyond it. Our missions span national security, in-space servicing, and orbital debris removal and flight software is the heartbeat of everything we launch.

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.

Prior aerospace experience isn’t required. We’re looking for passionate software engineers who want to solve hard problems and make an impact.

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Basic Qualifications

  • 5 Years of experience in embedded software development, including full lifecycle ownership from design to test and deployment

  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ 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

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

  • 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

Additional Requirements:

  • A passion for building in small, fast-moving teams

  • Willingness to work extended hours or weekends to meet mission-critical deadlines

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:​

  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents. ​

  • Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future. ​

  • Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge. ​

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

  • Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment. ​

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation Range: $140K - $200K