Satellite Software Lead

Space Machines Company (SMC) is pioneering the future of space operations with a bold mission: to deliver Roadside Assistance in Space.

As orbit becomes more congested and contested, we act as the "first responders" protecting the satellites that power life on Earth—from communications to navigation. Partnering with both commercial operators and government agencies, we're strengthening space resilience and enabling the growth of a sustainable space economy.

The future of space is one where satellites are monitored, maintained, and protected in orbit. At SMC, we're making that future real.

We're a start-up — things move fast, resources are lean, and we're building as we go.

What we offer is opportunity: to learn at speed, grow with the company, and leave your fingerprints on something that's never been done before. At Space Machines Company, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers join forces to push the limits of what's possible.

If you want to build technology designed to protect and power humanity's future in space — and see your work make a visible impact — this is where you'll do it.

How We Work

We are builders first.

We approach every challenge through a cycle of design, build, test, and refine — making ideas real, learning from results, and improving with each iteration.

We challenge assumptions to make sure we're solving the right problems, and we strengthen our solutions through collaboration and feedback.

We use process where it adds value and set it aside where it slows us down. There are a lot of firsts here, and we meet them with curiosity and courage.

We win as one team.

As our Satellite Software Lead, you'll lead the team responsible for satellite Flight Software (FSW) and the Command and Data Handling (CDH).  You will own the design, development, and delivery of the spacecraft's software stack — from low-level firmware to the high level mission-critical flight applications. You'll ensure robust, reliable, and efficient software that enables command, control, and autonomy in orbit.

You'll spend your time leading embedded and flight software development, validating performance through rigorous testing, and ensuring seamless integration across avionics, payload, GNC, and EPS — with a strong emphasis on modular architectures and middleware frameworks such as ROS/ROS2.

In this role, you own outcomes from end to end, including:

• Flight Software Architecture – Own the spacecraft's software stack, spanning firmware, middleware, and flight applications, leveraging ROS/ROS2 to enable modular, reusable, and scalable integration across subsystems.
• Firmware & Embedded Development – Lead development of reliable low-level firmware and embedded systems interfacing with avionics, EPS, and payloads.
• Integration & Validation – Ensure end-to-end integration of software with hardware, avionics, GNC, and payloads, validated through simulation, SIL/HIL, and lab testing — including validation of ROS/ROS2-based frameworks.
• Mission Operations Support – Deliver software that enables effective telemetry, command, data handling, and in-orbit updates/patches.
• Reliability & Resilience – Drive continuous improvements in fault detection, fault tolerance, and recovery capabilities across missions.
• Leadership & Mentorship – Lead and mentor engineers, conduct reviews, and ensure flight software requirements are represented in cross-discipline planning and mission decisions.

You'll thrive in this role if you bring:

A builder's mindset — turning ideas into real, working systems through hands-on problem-solving

An iterative approach — designing, building, testing, learning, and improving with each cycle

Collaboration and curiosity — working across disciplines and exploring beyond your own expertise

Adaptability and ownership — thriving in a fast-scaling, evolving environment and driving outcomes end to end

Proven experience:

• 7+ years' experience delivering mission-critical software systems from concept through integration, qualification, and deployment.

• Hands-on depth across flight and embedded software design, architecture, and validation in high-reliability domains.

• Technical leadership in complex environments such as space, aerospace, defence, or robotics — guiding teams and decisions that shape mission success.
• Proven ability to translate system-level requirements into robust, testable, and scalable software architectures.
• Track record of excellence in ensuring performance, safety, and mission assurance across tightly coupled hardware–software systems.

Bonus experience:

• ROS/ROS2 or equivalent middleware frameworks to build modular, scalable software architectures.
• C/C++ development
• Real time operating systems
• Embedded Linux
• Software development for satellite/space applications, especially in flight software or command and data handling

You won't get rich quickly. But you'll get:

Competitive salary – Fair pay for hard work. Commensurate with experience and the impact you'll have.

Meaningful equity (ESOP) – Real ownership stake. Stock options that matter because you're joining early enough for them to matter. If we win, you win.

Actual leave – Annual leave plus personal/sick days. Because even warriors need to recover.

Public holidays – All of them.

And freedom. Real freedom to build, decide, and move without waiting for permission. That's not a benefit you'll find in a package description, but it's worth more than most perks on this list.