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- Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge flight software for space missions.
- Company: Join Astroscale UK, a leader in sustainable space development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and 25+ days holiday.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of space sustainability.
- Qualifications: Degree in computer science or engineering; experience in embedded software.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Astroscale UK is looking for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join our Flight Software team in Harwell, UK to help realise our vision for the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. This position will be part of the team responsible for technical development of embedded real-time software for our future orbital debris missions including the ELSA-M service to capture and retire multiple satellites. The role will focus on flight software development for satellite onboard computers; defining solutions based on requirements, working with other subsystem teams on software needs, performing verification, integration, and test activities. Responsibilities will involve integrating Computer Vision and Guidance, Navigation and Control software into the flight software environment.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop and verify onboard Flight Software for Astroscale spacecraft.
- Coordinate with other teams at sub-system and system level to identify software needs and solutions.
- Participate in design reviews and address any actions relevant to the flight software.
- Act as a subject matter expert in Flight Software design and development.
- Support knowledge transfer from Astroscale teams globally and provide technical review inputs to projects across the Astroscale organisation.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a relevant engineering/science discipline.
- Experience in FSW development for space projects.
- Knowledge of ECSS standard for FSW.
- Experience in software development for real-time embedded systems (C/C++).
- Knowledge of software development methodologies and embedded software engineering.
- Experience implementing real-time systems and software.
- Proactive and self‑managing, able to plan and effectively lead areas of responsibility while collaborating within a close‑knit team.
Desirable Skills
- Experience developing software for the space sector.
- Experience with VxWorks or RTEMS platforms.
- Experience with all stages of the mission design lifecycle from initial concept to design, test, and operations.
- Familiarity with UML.
- Familiarity with commonly used protocols and standards for spacecraft communications, such as CCSDS, CAN, Spacewire.
- Knowledge of the cFS software framework.
- Experience with SPARC V8 or PowerPC architecture.
- Linux system administration, shell scripts, make, etc.
- Development on Linux systems.
- Knowledge of scripting languages.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary.
- Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting‑edge technology.
- Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment.
- Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements).
- Optional 9/75 working pattern.
- 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday.
- Life insurance and long‑term sick pay.
- Private healthcare (taxable benefit).
- Relocation allowance if applicable.
- Visa sponsorship for employees considered.
- New state‑of‑the‑art office and cleanroom facility.
- Regular social events.
Location
Astroscale UK (Harwell)
Inclusive Hiring
At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale also supports flexible working arrangements including job‑share opportunities.
Senior Flight Software Engineer employer: Astroscale
Contact Detail:
Astroscale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Flight Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the aerospace and software engineering sectors. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the field. You never know where a casual chat might lead!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to embedded systems or flight software. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise and passion for the role, so make it shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on relevant technologies and methodologies. Be ready to discuss your experience with real-time systems and how you’ve tackled challenges in past projects. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Astroscale!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Flight Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Flight Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience in embedded software development and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially in the space sector. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about space and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our Flight Software team. Don’t forget to mention any specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We’re looking for someone with solid technical expertise, so be sure to showcase your knowledge of C/C++, real-time systems, and any experience with ECSS standards. Mention any tools or methodologies you’ve used that are relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Astroscale
✨Know Your Flight Software Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of flight software development, especially for space projects. Be ready to discuss your experience with real-time embedded systems and how you've applied ECSS standards in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Team Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves coordinating with various teams, prepare examples that highlight your ability to work collaboratively. Think about times when you successfully integrated software needs across subsystems and how you handled any challenges.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to C/C++ programming, real-time systems, and the specific platforms mentioned like VxWorks or RTEMS. Practise explaining complex concepts clearly, as you might need to demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactive Approach
Astroscale values proactive team members. Be ready to share instances where you took the initiative in your projects, whether it was leading a design review or implementing a new methodology. This will show that you can manage responsibilities effectively while contributing to the team's success.