[Hiring] Senior Embedded Flight Software Engineer @Orchard

Role Description

@Orchard LLC is actively seeking a Senior Embedded Flight Software Engineer to support our client, a leading organization in the aerospace and space infrastructure industry specializing in spacecraft development, advanced space systems, and mission-critical technologies supporting commercial, civil, and national security programs. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of sophisticated spacecraft flight software, supporting complex space missions and next-generation aerospace technologies.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in embedded software development, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and C++ programming, with a strong understanding of software architecture, development lifecycles, and verification methodologies. Working alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams, the successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, integrating, and verifying embedded flight software that supports critical spacecraft operations.

The position is based in Palo Alto, California, or Houston, Texas.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement embedded software for real-time operating systems (RTOS) used in spacecraft applications.
• Develop, document, and maintain software architectures, requirements, algorithms, interfaces, and detailed designs for flight software systems.
• Develop and execute software verification plans, unit-level tests, open-loop test suites, and associated testing procedures.
• Analyze and document test results to ensure software functionality, performance, and compliance with system requirements.
• Manage embedded software throughout the complete software development lifecycle, including design, implementation, integration, verification, and maintenance.
• Develop, evaluate, customize, and implement software engineering processes, development tools, and performance metrics.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert in embedded software development, software engineering processes, and system-specific technical challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to support spacecraft software integration and system-level requirements.
• Support software quality, reliability, and compliance through established engineering practices and development standards.
• Identify and resolve complex embedded software issues throughout development, integration, and testing activities.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. Four additional years of relevant experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional software development experience.
• Strong embedded C++ programming skills.
• Basic understanding of Agile software development methodologies and the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Experience using software version control systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded software for real-time operating systems (RTOS), such as FreeRTOS or equivalent platforms.
• Familiarity with NASA's Core Flight Software (cFS) and Core Flight Executive (cFE) frameworks.
• Experience with Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication protocols.
• Proficiency in Python for software development, automation, testing, or engineering applications.
• General understanding of spacecraft subsystems, including:
• Electrical power systems
• Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS)
• Thermal management
• Propulsion systems
• Communication systems
• Experience using engineering and software development tools such as Jira, Jama, Git, and unit testing frameworks.

Compensation

The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skill sets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range. The base pay range for this position within California is: $143,000.00 - $238,000.00 annually. A comprehensive package of benefits is provided, including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. Additionally, this position is incentive-eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.