Senior Flight Software Engineer, Interplanetary Sciences Program

As a Senior Flight Software Engineer within the Interplanetary Sciences Program at Relativity Space, you will take ownership of the design, development, and deployment of flight-critical software that governs how our spacecraft behaves and operates from concept through flight.

You will be responsible for building robust, reliable embedded software that enables autonomous deep-space missions and real-time spacecraft control. This role requires an engineer who thrives on full-system ownership, moves fluidly between architecture and implementation, and brings rigorous engineering discipline to every phase of development from requirements capture to operational flight support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Design, implement, and test flight software for spacecraft command, control, and autonomy across all mission phases

Own full lifecycle software development: requirements capture, architecture, design, implementation, integration, test, and flight operations support

Collaborate with avionics, GNC, propulsion, and mission operations teams to ensure seamless integration between software and spacecraft hardware

Develop and execute verification and validation (V&V) processes to ensure flight safety, reliability, and mission success

Support on-vehicle and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, debugging, and mission simulations

About You:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field

5+ years of experience developing, testing, and delivering embedded or real-time flight software

Strong proficiency in C++ and solid understanding of memory management, concurrency, and embedded systems design

Experience with RTOS or Linux-based embedded development, software integration, and system-level testing

Proven ability to scope open-ended problems, execute autonomously, and deliver high-quality, flight-ready software

Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced team environment, demonstrating adaptability and problem-solving skills

Nice to haves but not required:

Experience developing software for spaceflight, launch vehicles, or planetary spacecraft

Familiarity with deep-space communication protocols and autonomy frameworks

Experience with Python or Rust for tooling, testing, or simulation support

Background in hardware-in-the-loop testing, embedded networking, or fault-tolerant system design

Knowledge of NASA or other aerospace software development and verification standards, applied in a modern new-space context

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.

Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.