Flight Software Engineer Jobs
Flight Software Engineer jobs are open across aerospace, defense, commercial space, and satellite industries, from entry-level to principal and staff engineer, with specializations in real-time embedded systems, RTOS development, and guidance-navigation-control software. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 105+ Flight Software Engineer jobs
DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities:
Release Management Ownership
- Lead and execute flight software release management strategy for large-scale constellation deployments
- Design and optimize release pipelines that balance speed, safety, and reliability
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure seamless software delivery from development to on-orbit deployment
Quality Ownership
- Define and enforce quality standards for flight software releases
- Establish metrics, monitoring, and reporting frameworks to ensure release quality and reliability
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and deployment risks
- Implement quality gates and validation processes appropriate for mission-critical systems
Team Leadership
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing SRM team
- Foster a culture of quality, operational excellence, and continuous learning
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of software development experience with 3+ years in management roles
- Deep understanding of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies
- Proven ability to adapt and apply SDLC principles flexibly to meet complex operational needs
- Experience with release management for distributed systems or large-scale deployments
- Embedded software development will be a big plus
- Track record of designing systems with quality and scalability as core principles
- Strong technical background in CI/CD, automation, and infrastructure
You Will Be Successful If You
- Think in terms of scalable processes that can support hundreds or thousands of software deployments
- Balance agility with rigor, knowing when to apply process and when to streamline
- Obsess over quality metrics and use data to drive decisions
- Can navigate the unique challenges of flight software with appropriate risk management
- Build systems and processes that scale with constellation growth
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with aerospace, embedded systems, or mission-critical software
- Background in satellite operations or constellation management
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance and certification processes
- Experience with modern DevOps tools and practices
Export Control Requirement:
Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of engineering team management experience
- 7+ years of working directly within engineering teams experience
- 3+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 8+ years of leading the definition and development of multi tier web services experience
- Knowledge of engineering practices and patterns for the full software/hardware/networks development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, certification, and livesite operations
- Experience partnering with product or program management teams
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in communicating with users, other technical teams, and senior leadership to collect requirements, describe software product features, technical designs, and product strategy
- Experience in recruiting, hiring, mentoring/coaching and managing teams of Software Engineers to improve their skills, and make them more effective, product software engineers
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, WA, Redmond - 184,900.00 - 250,200.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities:
Release Management Ownership
- Lead and execute flight software release management strategy for large-scale constellation deployments
- Design and optimize release pipelines that balance speed, safety, and reliability
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure seamless software delivery from development to on-orbit deployment
Quality Ownership
- Define and enforce quality standards for flight software releases
- Establish metrics, monitoring, and reporting frameworks to ensure release quality and reliability
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and deployment risks
- Implement quality gates and validation processes appropriate for mission-critical systems
Team Leadership
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing SRM team
- Foster a culture of quality, operational excellence, and continuous learning
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of software development experience with 3+ years in management roles
- Deep understanding of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies
- Proven ability to adapt and apply SDLC principles flexibly to meet complex operational needs
- Experience with release management for distributed systems or large-scale deployments
- Embedded software development will be a big plus
- Track record of designing systems with quality and scalability as core principles
- Strong technical background in CI/CD, automation, and infrastructure
You Will Be Successful If You
- Think in terms of scalable processes that can support hundreds or thousands of software deployments
- Balance agility with rigor, knowing when to apply process and when to streamline
- Obsess over quality metrics and use data to drive decisions
- Can navigate the unique challenges of flight software with appropriate risk management
- Build systems and processes that scale with constellation growth
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with aerospace, embedded systems, or mission-critical software
- Background in satellite operations or constellation management
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance and certification processes
- Experience with modern DevOps tools and practices
Export Control Requirement:
Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of engineering team management experience
- 7+ years of working directly within engineering teams experience
- 3+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- 8+ years of leading the definition and development of multi tier web services experience
- Knowledge of engineering practices and patterns for the full software/hardware/networks development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, certification, and livesite operations
- Experience partnering with product or program management teams
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in communicating with users, other technical teams, and senior leadership to collect requirements, describe software product features, technical designs, and product strategy
- Experience in recruiting, hiring, mentoring/coaching and managing teams of Software Engineers to improve their skills, and make them more effective, product software engineers
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, WA, Redmond - 184,900.00 - 250,200.00 USD annually
Flight Software Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
See All 105+ Flight Software Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Flight Software Engineer JobsFlight Software Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
- Airlines
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in flight software engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in C or Ada for safety-critical embedded software development
- Experience with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks, RTEMS, or FreeRTOS
- Familiarity with DO-178C software development assurance standards and documentation practices
- Active or eligibility for Secret or Top Secret security clearance
- Experience with software verification, validation, and model-based development tools such as MATLAB or Simulink
Tips for Your Flight Software Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to DO-178C
Flight software hiring managers scan for DO-178C compliance experience above almost anything else. Call out the specific assurance level you've worked to, the tools you used for traceability, and whether you owned test artifacts or contributed to them.
Highlight your RTOS and language depth
Generic 'embedded systems' language won't separate you. Name the specific RTOS you've used, whether VxWorks, RTEMS, or FreeRTOS, your proficiency in C and Ada, and any experience writing safety-critical code under a formal coding standard like MISRA.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists flight software engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter for clearance level before applying
Many defense-side flight software roles require an active Secret or Top Secret clearance. Check the requirement before spending time on a cover letter. If you hold an active clearance, lead with it in your resume summary so screeners see it immediately.
Prepare a systems-level design walkthrough
Flight software interviews routinely include a live architecture discussion where you sketch how onboard software handles fault detection, mode management, or telemetry. Practice narrating your design decisions out loud, not just drawing diagrams, so you can defend trade-offs under pressure.
Negotiate relocation and export control timing
Offers from primes and government contractors often include export control review periods that delay your start date. Ask explicitly how long that process takes for your citizenship status so you can negotiate a realistic start date and avoid leaving your current role prematurely.
Flight Software Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most flight software engineers?
The companies hiring the most flight software engineers right now include SpaceX, Amazon, and Blue Origin, with the largest share of openings in California, Washington, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Hiring is concentrated at aerospace primes, commercial space companies, and defense contractors with active launch or satellite programs.
How many flight software engineer jobs are remote?
About 56% of flight software engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the classified and hardware-dependent nature of much of the work. Sub-areas with the most remote flexibility include ground software development, mission planning systems, and simulation tooling, where proximity to flight hardware is not required day-to-day.
How do you become a flight software engineer?
Start with a degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or aerospace engineering, with coursework in embedded systems and real-time computing. Build hands-on experience through research projects, CubeSat teams, or internships at aerospace or defense companies. Learn C or Ada, study DO-178C fundamentals, and gain exposure to an RTOS. A clearance, even at the Secret level, opens significantly more positions.
Can you get a flight software engineer job with little experience?
Yes, entry-level roles exist, particularly at commercial space startups and companies running university-liaison programs. Employers look for candidates who can demonstrate hands-on embedded work, such as a capstone project involving real-time control, a CubeSat software contribution, or a ground systems internship. A strong GitHub portfolio of safety-relevant embedded code and familiarity with version control in a team context helps bridge the experience gap.
What does the flight software engineer interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter screen followed by a technical phone interview covering real-time systems concepts, concurrency, and memory management. A coding assessment in C or Ada is common. Onsite rounds usually include a systems design discussion where you walk through a fault-tolerant software architecture, plus a behavioral panel. Some employers add a hardware-in-the-loop simulation exercise or a DO-178C process deep-dive.
Where can I find and apply to flight software engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to flight software engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your clearance level, RTOS experience, and preferred industry, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 105+ Flight Software Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Flight Software Engineer Jobs