Spacecraft Flight Computing Engineer

Spacecraft Flight Computing EngineerWe are supporting a well-funded space company developing a human-rated spacecraft with real flight hardware, real missions, and real technical ownership.This role sits on a small, elite Flight Computing team responsible for the design and implementation of the spacecraft's computing architecture — from custom flight computers through operating systems, low-level software, and fault-tolerant behavior.This is not a traditional flight software role layered on top of vendor avionics. The team designs the computers, defines the operating environment, and owns how the system behaves under real-world faults.You would work directly with the engineer who architected the fault-tolerant computing and networking systems for Falcon 9 and Dragon, including the hardware that interfaces with the International Space Station.What You'll Work OnDesigning and implementing spacecraft flight computing systems with full hardware/software ownershipDeveloping and tuning low-level software across bootloaders, operating systems, and device driversBuilding fault-tolerant behavior that allows systems to continue operating through anomaliesWorking closely with custom flight computer hardware designed in-houseDefining how compute, timing, and networking behave across spacecraft subsystemsParticipating in system bring-up, integration, debugging, and mission supportCollaborating with a small group of highly capable engineers who value first-principles designWhat We're Looking ForWe are open to exceptional engineers at multiple experience levels, provided they have strong fundamentals and real technical depth.Strong indicators include:Deep experience with C/C++ in low-level or systems contextsBackground in embedded systems, firmware, kernel-level Linux, or RTOS-based developmentComfort working close to hardware (bring-up, debugging, timing, fault analysis)Experience designing or supporting real-time or safety-critical systemsEngineers who build things because they're curious — not just because it's assignedPrior spacecraft experience is not required. Engineers from adjacent domains (embedded systems, automotive safety, robotics, compute infrastructure, etc.) are welcome if they bring the right depth and mindset.What Makes This DifferentSmall, senior technical team — no large hierarchies, no busyworkMinimal legacy code — engineers are empowered to fix or redesign what doesn't make senseModern, high-performance compute platforms, not legacy aerospace hardwareReal authority over architecture and implementation decisionsDirect mentorship and collaboration with one of the most experienced flight computing architects in the industryA rare blend of startup-level autonomy with the resources of a major space programLocation & EligibilityBased in the South Bay / Greater Los Angeles areaCandidates must be U.S. persons due to regulatory requirementsRelocation support may be availableInterested?If you're excited by the idea of building spacecraft computers the right way — with real ownership, real impact, and real technical peers — we'd welcome a conversation.