Staff Flight Software Engineer

Department: Core Software

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Golden, Colorado, United States

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a permanent presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are currently seeking a Staff Flight Software Engineer to contribute to our mission in a dynamic startup environment. The main responsibility of the Staff Flight Software Engineer is to act as a subject matter expert in NASA core flight system (cFS) services and application development for mission-critical space robotics. They will lead cFS development efforts and mentor engineers on cFS best practices, ensuring the system meets stringent real-time, safety, and reliability requirements for crewed and autonomous space operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical authority for NASA core Flight System (cFS) design, configuration, and deployment on a robotics-based avionics platform
• Define, implement, and maintain cFS application architectures to support robotic navigation, control, and payload operations in a space environment
• Integrate and maintain cFS with underlying RTOS (e.g., VxWorks, RTEMS) and hardware abstraction layers
• Customize and extend cFS services (EVS, ES, SB, TBL, TIME, SCH, etc.) to meet mission requirements
• Collaborate with robotics software, hardware, and systems engineers to ensure seamless data handling, command execution, and timing synchronization
• Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, simulation environments, and mission rehearsals
• Guide best practices for requirements-based development, verification, and flight certification
• Mentor engineers in cFS concepts, architecture, and mission-proven workflows

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering or related field
• 7+ years in embedded software or avionics systems for space or mission-critical robotics applications
• 3+ in NASA core Flight System (cFS) architecture, services, and application development
• Strong proficiency in C for embedded system development
• Familiarity with spacecraft data handling, telemetry/command processing, and deterministic networking
• Experience with robotics platforms for planetary exploration, surface mobility, or space station operations
• Self-motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• U.S. Person

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies
• Experience with GNC software integration in robotic or spacecraft systems
• Familiarity with space mission development phases and associated documentation and standards
• Knowledge of LEON3/4 or RISC-V space-grade processors
• Prior work with crewed vehicle avionics architecture or planetary robotics

Any offer of employment for this position is conditional upon Lunar Outpost receiving the LTVS SubCLIN 1C Award from NASA. If the contract is not awarded to Lunar Outpost, this offer will be considered null and void, without further obligation to Lunar Outpost.

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
• Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
• Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
• Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.