Senior Software Engineer (Contract)

This position offers FULLY REMOTE opportunities for candidates across the United States. Preferred work locations: Arlington VA, Denver CO, Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL.

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc offers advanced solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements. Celebrating over 50 years in the US, we remain a trusted government partner, leveraging world‑class satellite, laser communication, rotor and fixed wing solutions to help our national security, defense and space focused customers meet their missions.

Position Summary
Airbus U.S. is looking for an enthusiastic and creative senior software engineer to develop and test spacecraft flight software. Were looking for candidates who can bring exceptional programming skills and experience in embedded software development and testing to the team.

Position Responsibilities
The Senior Software Engineers primary responsibility will be contributing to the development and testing of Airbus U.S.s satellite flight software. This engineer will be involved in the full lifecycle of flight software development, from requirements definition through operations. However, because we are a small team where each person takes on many roles, this engineer will also contribute to mission concept development, in‑house modeling and simulation capabilities, and proposal writing. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve.

The Senior Software Engineer will provide autonomous support of complex assignments, under the leadership of the Software Team Lead and Software Engineering Manager. The Senior Software Engineer will have project and subject matter responsibility and authority.

Flight Software – 60%

Contribute to the development of new satellite flight software for Airbus U.S. satellite platforms

Support development and integration of GNC algorithms

Support development and modification of flight software hosted on new flight computer designs

Develop in‑house tools to analyze flight software performance and assess its compatibility with new mission and conops

Develop and execute flight software verification and validation tests at the unit, module, subsystem, and platform level

Software Integration and Test – 30%

Develop and execute FSW verifications tests using both proprietary satellite digital twin software and a Hardware in the Loop (HIL) FlatSat

Establish and document test methodologies and descriptions to test compliance with Airbus and customer‑based requirements

Develop and implement software and tools for ground support equipment to test and validate flight software

Contribute to document management, including versioning, bug reporting, and test plan documentation

Oversee and conduct official validation tests

Additional Responsibilities – 10%

Support working groups, both internal and with customers and/or vendors

Support proposal writing, new business

Assess the software impacts of new hardware, conops, and missions

Education
Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

Bachelor’s degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas

Preferred: Master’s in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas

Experience

A minimum of 9 years with a Bachelors degree, or 7 years with a Master’s degree

Proven track‑record of working with space hardware and/or flight software systems, starting from conceptual designs and tradeoffs through detailed design, development, manufacture, integration, test, deployment, and operations

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities

Insatiable curiosity and a demonstrated ability to learn and work independently

Proficiency in C/C++

Expertise in one or more of the following:

GNC algorithms design, analysis, testing, and implementation

New device bring‑up

BSP implementation

Embedded software development and testing

Cybersecurity

Device driver development and testing of software/hardware interfaces

Real‑time operating systems programming, debugging, and testing

Functional validation of embedded software on hardware

Software safety assurance

Network topology and configuration

Simulators: numerical, emulator, and hardware in the loop

Software requirements and configuration management

Travel Required

Periodic travel (less than 20%) to Airbus U.S. facilities or partner companies

Occasional international travel to collaborate with European Airbus counterparts

Eligibility

US Citizenship is required

Clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance

Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable

Physical Requirements

Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents

Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms

Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment

Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg

Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg

Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer

Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves

Standing: able to stand for long periods of time

Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces

Equal Opportunity
Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to View email address on click.appcast.io.

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