Senior Software Engineer – Space, Embedded Systems

Senior Embedded Software Engineer – Space | Berlin

Our client, a fast-growing space technology startup, is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (7+ years’ experience) with a strong background in flight software development to join their team in Berlin. Experience with ground segment software is highly desirable.

You will develop and maintain embedded flight software running on a real-time operating system for a next-generation spaceborne payload, working closely with hardware teams to take the system from prototype through integration, test, and flight. The role also offers the opportunity to contribute to ground software supporting mission planning, command and control, and payload operations.

This is a hands-on position at the intersection of spacecraft software, hardware integration, and mission operations, working daily with systems, electrical, optical, and AIT engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test embedded flight software for a space payload on an RTOS
• Lead hardware-software integration, ensuring reliable control and communication with onboard computers, sensors, and subsystems
• Support software verification and validation during integration and test campaigns
• Develop and maintain communication interfaces and protocols (CAN, UART, Ethernet)
• Ensure robustness, fault tolerance, and safe operation of flight and ground software
• Collaborate across systems, AIT, and operations teams throughout the full mission lifecycle
• Participate in code reviews, configuration management, and version control
• Produce software architecture, requirements, and design documentation aligned with space industry standards

Optional / Secondary (depending on experience):

• Contribute to or architect ground software systems for payload control, mission planning, and monitoring
• Design networking interfaces between payload control systems, mission control, ground stations, and data processing pipelines

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of software development experience (or 5+ with MSc/PhD), including space or embedded systems
• Strong experience developing embedded or real-time software in C/C++
• Solid understanding of hardware-software integration for embedded or spaceborne systems
• Experience with Python for test automation, tooling, or operations support
• Proficiency with Git and collaborative development workflows
• Familiarity with CAN, UART, Ethernet, or similar communication protocols
• Excellent English communication and technical documentation skills

Preferred:

• Flight software experience on RTOS platforms (e.g. RTEMS, VxWorks, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with flight software frameworks (NASA cFS, ESA frameworks, or custom stacks)
• Experience with ground segment or mission operations software
• Knowledge of spacecraft communication architectures and system integration
• Familiarity with ECSS standards and software V&V best practices
• Strong debugging skills in HIL or simulation environments

Additional Requirements:

• Fluency in English (C1 or higher)
• Willingness to relocate to Berlin (EU work authorisation is a plus)

If you are interested, please apply today.
angela.olmo@newspacetechnical.com