Mid Level Flight Software Engineer Jobs
Mid level flight software engineer jobs go to engineers ready to own subsystems end to end, make design decisions with limited oversight, and mentor junior teammates on mission-critical code. Roles run across Aerospace & Defense and Consulting & Professional Services, with a notable share of remote and hybrid positions, and employers like Airbus, Draper, and Hermeus hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Open roles8
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerAirbus
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Work type100% On-site
Top industryAerospace
Showing 5 of 8+ Mid Level Flight Software Engineer jobs
Lead Flight Software Engineer, Special Programs
We won't show you this job again
Added 3mo ago
Impulse Space
Lead Flight Software Engineer, Special Programs
Redondo Beach, California
Added 3mo ago
Senior Flight Software Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Added 3mo ago
Hermeus
Senior Flight Software Engineer
Los Angeles, California
Added 3mo ago
Flight Control Software Engineer III - IV
We won't show you this job again
Added 3mo ago
Kratos Defense
Flight Control Software Engineer III - IV
Roseville, California
Added 3mo ago
Flight Computer Software-in-the-Loop Simulation Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Added 3mo ago
Draper
Flight Computer Software-in-the-Loop Simulation Engineer
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Added 3mo ago
Project Engineer - Flight Software (Contract)
We won't show you this job again
Added 3mo ago
Airbus
Project Engineer - Flight Software (Contract)
Merritt Island, Florida
Added 3mo ago
Added 3mo ago
Lead Flight Software Engineer, Special Programs
Impulse Space·Redondo Beach, California
Job functions:
$150k - $200k/yr
5+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
Full Time
Job Description
Description
As a Lead Flight Software Engineer for Special Programs at Impulse Space, you will lead the design, development, integration, and operation of the software that powers some of the most agile delta-V spacecraft under development. You will work closely with GNC, avionics, propulsion, systems, and mission operations teams to deliver high-reliability software for responsive space missions.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, implementation, integration, and verification of flight software for high-performance space vehicles produced at scale.
- Architect real-time flight software systems for responsive spacecraft, including command and telemetry, mission sequencing, autonomy, and fault management.
- Develop and integrate software for closed-loop control of propulsion, attitude control, and other time-critical vehicle systems.
- Develop detection and mitigation algorithms for anomalies such as sensor failures, actuator malfunctions, or radiation-induced faults.
- Mentor and provide technical direction to a team of flight software engineers.
- Support mission operations and troubleshoot real-time issues during ground integration, environmental testing, and on-orbit operations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of professional experience developing C/C++ code for embedded systems in aerospace, with at least 1 year in a technical leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience of computer architecture, operating systems, deterministic real-time execution, and embedded networking.
- Experience with Embedded Linux in mission-critical environments.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility.
- Proven track record delivering flight software for spacecraft, launch vehicles, upper stages, OTVs, responsive spacecraft, or other high-performance aerospace systems.
- Experience with flight software frameworks, middleware, distributed software architectures, or publish/subscribe messaging patterns for mission-critical embedded systems.
- Participation in successful integration, testing, launch, and mission operations of a space vehicle.
- Experience collaborating with external suppliers, primes, or government customers to integrate software and hardware components across vehicle, payload, or mission systems.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead technical discussions and guide design trade studies.
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.
About Impulse Space
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Impulse Space
Lead Flight Software Engineer, Special Programs
Redondo Beach, California
Added 3mo ago
Job functions:
$150k - $200k/yr
5+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
Full Time
Job Description
Description
As a Lead Flight Software Engineer for Special Programs at Impulse Space, you will lead the design, development, integration, and operation of the software that powers some of the most agile delta-V spacecraft under development. You will work closely with GNC, avionics, propulsion, systems, and mission operations teams to deliver high-reliability software for responsive space missions.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, implementation, integration, and verification of flight software for high-performance space vehicles produced at scale.
- Architect real-time flight software systems for responsive spacecraft, including command and telemetry, mission sequencing, autonomy, and fault management.
- Develop and integrate software for closed-loop control of propulsion, attitude control, and other time-critical vehicle systems.
- Develop detection and mitigation algorithms for anomalies such as sensor failures, actuator malfunctions, or radiation-induced faults.
- Mentor and provide technical direction to a team of flight software engineers.
- Support mission operations and troubleshoot real-time issues during ground integration, environmental testing, and on-orbit operations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of professional experience developing C/C++ code for embedded systems in aerospace, with at least 1 year in a technical leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience of computer architecture, operating systems, deterministic real-time execution, and embedded networking.
- Experience with Embedded Linux in mission-critical environments.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility.
- Proven track record delivering flight software for spacecraft, launch vehicles, upper stages, OTVs, responsive spacecraft, or other high-performance aerospace systems.
- Experience with flight software frameworks, middleware, distributed software architectures, or publish/subscribe messaging patterns for mission-critical embedded systems.
- Participation in successful integration, testing, launch, and mission operations of a space vehicle.
- Experience collaborating with external suppliers, primes, or government customers to integrate software and hardware components across vehicle, payload, or mission systems.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead technical discussions and guide design trade studies.
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.
About Impulse Space
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
See All 8 Mid Level Flight Software Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMid Level Flight Software Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
- Consulting & Professional Services
Mid Level Flight Software Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level flight software engineer job?
Position yourself around ownership, not just contribution. Highlight projects where you drove technical decisions, resolved ambiguous requirements, or delivered a subsystem from design through integration testing. Emphasize experience with flight-specific constraints such as real-time operating systems, DO-178C compliance, or fault-tolerant architectures. Tailor your resume to show depth in at least one domain, whether that is guidance systems, avionics software, or embedded flight control.
Which companies hire mid level flight software engineers?
Companies hiring mid level flight software engineers right now include Airbus, Draper, and Hermeus, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level covers defense contractors, commercial space companies, and aerospace primes, all of which need engineers who can operate with real ownership rather than close supervision.
Are there remote mid level flight software engineer jobs?
Yes, though the share varies given the hardware-dependent nature of flight software work. About 0% of mid level flight software engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, concentrated in roles focused on simulation, ground software, or mission planning tools where physical lab access is less critical than for embedded or hardware-in-the-loop work.
How do I move up to a mid level flight software engineer role?
The path from entry level to mid level is built through demonstrated ownership over time. Focus on leading a feature or subsystem from requirements through verification, not just implementing tickets. Deepen expertise in a flight-relevant discipline, such as real-time systems, safety-critical software standards, or navigation algorithms. Measurable impact, like reducing latency, improving test coverage, or catching a critical defect, signals readiness for mid level responsibilities.
Which industries hire the most mid level flight software engineers?
Mid Level flight software engineer roles concentrate in Aerospace & Defense and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors invest heavily at the mid level because they need engineers who can independently own software modules within complex, safety-critical systems without requiring constant senior oversight.