At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement flight software for innovative satellites, ensuring real-time performance and reliability.
- Company: Join NewOrbit Space, a pioneer in low-orbit satellite technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, comprehensive health benefits, and hybrid work options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in space technology and enjoy unmatched ownership of your projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in embedded systems with C/C++ or Rust; strong grasp of real-time software.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites.
Your role
You’ll own the software that makes the spacecraft behave: real-time control flows, autonomy, mode management, and the core flight applications that coordinate every subsystem. You’ll design and implement robust flight-software services on RTOS or Embedded Linux - turning mission requirements into deterministic, testable software - then take it from simulation all the way to launch and on-orbit operations. You’ll ensure our VLEO satellites stay safe and productive with strong fault tolerance, clean observability, and rapid iteration through over-the-air updates.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the on-board flight-software stack – design, implement and test real-time Rust/C/C++ on RTOS or Embedded Linux.
- Integrate subsystems end-to-end – define ICDs and build drivers/middleware over I2C/SPI/UART/CAN(-FD)/SpaceWire (as applicable).
- Build spacecraft behaviours & autonomy – implement mode management, sequencing, and autonomous FDIR for safe and productive operations.
- Deliver reliable real-time performance – manage concurrency, timing, CPU/memory budgets, and observability under tight constraints.
- Build verification infrastructure – prototypes, SIL/HIL test harnesses, simulations, and telemetry analysis tooling to validate designs early.
- Ship code from review to orbit – push through CI/CD, support integration and launch ops, and deliver secure over-the-air updates.
- Work across disciplines – collaborate with avionics, AOCS, comms and mission teams to trade compute, power, thermal, storage and link budgets.
Fundamental Requirements
- Proven experience in building production embedded or real-time systems in C/C++ and/or Rust on RTOS or Embedded Linux for space systems.
- Strong grasp of real-time software: scheduling, interrupts, concurrency primitives, determinism, and designing for constrained CPU/memory.
- Proven ability to build reliable, testable systems: unit/integration testing, simulation-first development, HIL validation, and disciplined debugging.
- Hands-on experience integrating with hardware via common interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN(-FD), GPIO, etc.) and practical lab debugging.
- Solid software engineering fundamentals: architecture, code review, static analysis, CI/CD, configuration management, and observability/logging.
- Ability to own systems end-to-end: from requirements and design through implementation, verification, operations support, and iterative improvement.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with spacecraft flight software frameworks (e.g., cFS, F´, or building lightweight component-based equivalents).
- Familiarity with autonomy and fault management patterns for radiation/SEUs, watchdog strategies, redundancy, and safe-mode design.
- GNC/AOCS-adjacent experience: sensor/actuator pipelines, control-loop integration, estimation/filters, timing analysis.
- Digital-twin / simulator / SIL-HIL experience for end-to-end behaviour validation and regression testing.
- On-orbit operations know-how: commissioning flows, anomaly response, telemetry triage, and OTA update strategies.
Why NewOrbit Space?
- Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations.
- Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
- Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc.
- Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week.
- Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.
Lead Flight Software Engineer in Reading employer: NewOrbit Space
At NewOrbit Space, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of space technology in a collaborative and innovative environment. Our employees enjoy unmatched ownership of their projects, competitive salaries with equity options, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes private health insurance and hybrid work arrangements. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we empower our team members to contribute meaningfully to groundbreaking satellite technology while enjoying a supportive work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Flight Software Engineer in Reading
✨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 NewOrbit Space for a Lead Flight Software Engineer. 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 Lead Flight Software Engineer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at NewOrbit Space, 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 NewOrbit Space, 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 NewOrbit Space
✨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 NewOrbit Space.
✨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 NewOrbit Space. 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 NewOrbit Space love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
