Flight Software Engineer

Company: impulsespace
Location: Redondo Beach, California
Type: onsite
Posted: Aug 19, 2026
Views: 0
As a Flight Software Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for the design, development, and integration of the software that powers our Space Vehicles. You will work closely with avionics engineers, GNC engineers, propulsion engineers, and other cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability, high-performance software for in-space transportation.
  • Contribute to the design, implementation, integration, and verification of software for:
    • Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms
    • Command and telemetry handling
    • Mission sequencing, autonomy, and fault management
    • Closed-loop control of propulsion, attitude control, and other time-critical systems
  • Implement features for Impulse’s real-time flight software framework to meet deterministic performance requirements in space environments.
  • Develop detection and mitigation algorithms for anomalies such as sensor failures, actuator malfunctions, or radiation-induced faults.
  • Direct and participate in code reviews, ensuring compliance with software safety, reliability, and maintainability standards.
  • Support mission operations and troubleshoot real-time issues during ground integration, environmental testing, and on-orbit operations.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related degrees
  • 2+ years writing C++ code for an embedded system or vehicle of some kind (robot, car, drone, spacecraft, etc)
  • Demonstrated understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and computer networking
  • Experience with Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or with Embedded Linux
  • Experience using version control, test cases, and other software best practices

  • Proven track record delivering flight software for spacecraft— including launch vehicles, OTVs, upper stages, or other in-space propulsion systems.
  • Familiarity with NASA cFS, ROS2, or custom middleware for space applications.
  • 4+ years of demonstrated experience in designing software for deterministic timing and hard real-time constraints.
  • Participation in successful integration, testing, launch, and mission operations of a space vehicle.

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse 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.
Apply Now ♡ Save Job

About the Company

Name: impulsespace
Location: Not specified
Website: https://www.impulsespace.com

Our mission is to accelerate humanity's future in space through efficient transportation anywhere; GEO, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Impulse is the way to get your payload anywhere in space. Space is more accessible than ever, but efficiently moving payloads & satellites still remains a challenge. We alleviate this by building nimble, economical and powerful capabilities to access any orbit. At Impulse, we hire individuals with a record of demonstrated excellence, those who are always curious, and those fully committed to the mission. We are a team of innovators, willing to challenge the status quo and persevere through obstacles to achieve exceptional results. From engineers who helped build Falcon 1, to those who built the latest college FSAE vehicles (and everything in between); we pride ourselves on having a diverse skillset of technical depth. To achieve success for our customers - we are building Helios, a high-energy kick stage that will bring large payloads & satellites from LEO to GEO. We are also building Mira, a hosting and orbital transfer vehicle that is optimized to make the trip to and operate in LED & GEO. Space is hard, and we're here to make it easier for our customers. You will help build the tools and capability to do just that.

View Company Profile

More jobs at impulsespace