Lead Flight Software (Embedded)

TL;DR

Lead Flight Software (Embedded): Designing and delivering end-to-end flight software, simulation environments, and test setups for a modular reusable space orbital vehicle with an accent on certifiable software architecture and system-level trade-offs. Focus on managing multidisciplinary engineering teams, ensuring safety-critical reliability, and coordinating certification with NASA.

Location: Munich, Germany. Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship provided.

Company

The Exploration Company is developing Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle for cargo and potentially human transport.

What you will do

• Own the end-to-end delivery of flight software, simulation environments, and supporting software test setups.
• Manage and coach four engineering teams (~20 engineers) while staying technically involved in architecture and critical design decisions.
• Define and evolve the overall flight software architecture to ensure robustness, scalability, and alignment with safety requirements.
• Establish interfaces between flight software, avionics, GNC, and systems engineering to identify and resolve integration risks early.
• Shape the verification and validation ecosystem, including SIL, HIL, and Monte Carlo campaigns.
• Represent the flight software domain in major program reviews and certification discussions with NASA and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in designing, developing, and testing flight software for spacecraft or related systems.
• Proven leadership and management skills to oversee a software development organization and ensure timely delivery.
• Hands-on coding and testing proficiency in C/C++.
• Knowledge of implementing software development processes and best practices for safety-critical systems.
• Ability to align software development plans with overall program milestones and vehicle integration timelines.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile environment with fast decision-making.
• Open and collaborative culture with transparency regarding risks and obstacles.
• Opportunity to contribute to the democratization of space.
• Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship where applicable.