Principal Flight Software Engineer

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Come be a part of the 21st Century Space Race. As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

Do you have a passion for architecting mission-critical systems and shaping the future of Spacecraft Flight Software? Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Principal Flight Software Engineer to provide technical leadership for Flight Software across our spacecraft programs.

The Flight Software group is responsible for the design, architecture, and implementation of high-reliability, real-time software that enables mission execution. As a Principal Engineer, you will own the technical direction of flight software systems, driving architecture, design decisions, and system-level integration across the full lifecycle—from early concepts through launch and flight operations.

You will operate as a technical authority, cross-functional leader, and execution driver partnering closely with spacecraft program offices and partner software teams to ensure robust, scalable, and mission-ready software systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and drive the architecture of Flight Software systems spacecraft, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance under real-time constraints
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Flight Software engineers, setting coding standards, design patterns, and best practices
• Own system-level software design decisions, including trade studies, interface definitions, and failure mode analysis
• Lead cross-functional integration efforts with GNC, Avionics, and Systems Engineering to ensure cohesive system behavior and mission success
• Guide the development of high-reliability C++ software, including real-time components, state machines, and data pipelines
• Establish and improve development processes, including CI/CD, static analysis, testing strategies, and code review standards
• Act as a senior technical reviewer for architecture, code, and system readiness, ensuring alignment with mission and safety requirements
• Support vehicle testing, integration campaigns, and launch operations, serving as a key technical decision-maker during critical events
• Drive root cause analysis and resolution of complex system-level issues across software and hardware boundaries
• Influence long-term technical strategy and roadmap for Flight Software at Firefly Aerospace

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with significant experience in real-time or embedded systems
• Deep expertise in modern C++, including performance, memory management, and concurrency
• Strong background in software architecture and system design for complex, high-reliability systems
• Experience working with real-time operating systems and/or Linux-based embedded environments
• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives across teams and influence engineering direction
• Experience debugging and resolving system-level issues involving software/hardware interaction
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to cross-functional teams and leadership

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Experience developing flight or safety-critical software for aerospace, defense, or similar domains
• Strong understanding of state machines, control systems interfaces, and real-time data pipelines
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and static analysis tools for C++
• Familiarity with software standards such as DO-178C, NASA NPR 7150.2, or equivalent
• Experience supporting vehicle integration, test campaigns, or flight operations
• Demonstrated ability to set technical direction and mentor senior engineers

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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.