At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to develop cutting-edge avionics software for autonomous spacecraft.
- Company: Lodestar, a pioneering tech company focused on space security.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity incentives, contributory pension, and dynamic work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth in the space industry.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to protect high-value space assets with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Computer Science, strong C++ skills, and embedded systems experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 55000 £ per year.
Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product, MITHRIL, is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into a single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service.
We’re hiring Avionics Software Engineers across three technical focus areas: Flight Software, Distributed Middleware & Embedded Linux. Depending on your experience, you’ll take ownership of one of these areas while working closely across avionics, autonomy, AI/ML, and hardware.
What You'll Do:
- Flight Software Engineering: Design and develop deterministic, safety-critical, fault tolerant flight software for autonomous spacecraft. Build robust software for RTOS-based flight computers, implementing FDIR and defensive programming techniques. Collaborate with autonomy, AI, and hardware engineers to integrate, test, and validate mission-critical software on representative spacecraft platforms.
- Distributed Middleware Engineering: Develop the distributed middleware enabling communication, workload orchestration, and telemetry across heterogeneous onboard compute systems. Build resilient software infrastructure including high-performance IPC, networking, process supervision, and fail-safe Over-The-Air (OTA) update mechanisms. Deliver scalable software platforms that support fault-tolerant autonomous operations.
- Embedded Linux Engineering: Develop and maintain custom embedded Linux platforms for NVIDIA Jetson-backed flight computers, from board bring-up through to deployment. Optimise kernel performance through real-time tuning, low-level driver development, system profiling and selective kernel slimming. Architect a hardened, minimal-footprint Linux-based operating system.
Qualifications:
- BEng/MEng in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
- Strong foundation in C++.
- Experience developing software for embedded systems using Linux or RTOS (e.g., RTEMS, FreeRTOS).
- Solid understanding of multi-process architectures and inter-process communication.
- Strong communicator and self-starter; able to work independently and in a collaborative team.
- Demonstrated skills in debugging and performance characterisation.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Good understanding of communication protocols.
- Familiarity with containerisation and deployment tools (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes).
- Deep understanding of Linux kernel architecture, bootloaders (e.g. U-Boot), and low-level system bring-up.
- Understanding of fault-tolerant design principles, error handling, or defensive programming in resource-constrained systems.
- Experience with real-time Linux kernel tuning.
- Background with the space industry.
- Experience with publish-subscribe middlewares.
- Exposure to fail-safe Over-The-Air (OTA) update frameworks.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Proven experience in system integration and working with multidisciplinary teams.
Pay Range:
- (E1) Junior Engineer: £30,000 - £55,000 / year
- (E2) Mid-level Engineer: £55,000 - £75,000 / year
Meaningful equity incentives as part of our employee option pool. Contributory pension. Be part of a scrappy, dynamic, multidisciplinary, collaborative crew.
For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Lodestar 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.
Avionics Software Engineer London, United Kingdom employer: Lodestar Space Ltd.
Lodestar is an exceptional employer, offering Avionics Software Engineers the chance to work on groundbreaking technology that protects high-value space assets. With a dynamic and collaborative work culture, employees benefit from meaningful equity incentives, a contributory pension, and opportunities for professional growth within a multidisciplinary team. Located in London, this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in the space industry while being part of a scrappy and innovative crew.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Avionics Software Engineer London, United Kingdom
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Lodestar Space Ltd. for a Avionics Software Engineer London, United Kingdom. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Avionics Software Engineer London, United Kingdom
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Lodestar Space Ltd., make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Lodestar Space Ltd., we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lodestar Space Ltd.
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Lodestar Space Ltd..
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Lodestar Space Ltd.. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Lodestar Space Ltd. love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
