Spacecraft Ground Software Engineer
Firefly Aerospace
As a Ground Software Engineer at Firefly Aerospace, you will design and build the mission-critical systems that operate our spacecraft and from the ground. This role requires full-stack expertise to deliver robust web applications, backend services, databases, and cloud infrastructure that power spacecraft commanding, telemetry, and real-time control.
You will develop ground systems that interface directly with our vehicles, supporting everything from pre-launch checkout to on-orbit operations. With strong skills in modern software technologies and a deep understanding of real-time control systems, you will create reliable, secure, and scalable software that ensures Firefly missions succeed from liftoff to lunar landing.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design, implement, and maintain spacecraft ground software systems, spanning front-end, back-end, databases, and cloud services.
- Develop real-time control interfaces for commanding and telemetry visualization.
- Build and maintain React-based web applications for operator consoles and mission control tools.
- Develop backend services in Python and integrate with spacecraft APIs and communication protocols.
- Design, optimize, and maintain database solutions for mission telemetry and historical data.
- Deploy and manage containerized applications using Docker and Kubernetes.
- Implement cloud infrastructure and scaling solutions in AWS for mission operations.
- Integrate CI/CD pipelines and DevOps best practices to accelerate development and deployment.
- Collaborate with flight software, GNC, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless end-to-end vehicle integration.
- Contribute to operations software for rehearsals, test campaigns, and live mission execution.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience as a full-stack software engineer.
- Proficiency in modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Node.js) and Python.
- Strong experience with databases (SQL and/or NoSQL).
- Experience deploying applications with Docker and Kubernetes.
- Hands-on experience with AWS services (EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, etc.).
- Experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, Jenkins, or similar).
- Familiarity with DevOps practices including monitoring, observability, and infrastructure as code.
- Experience developing and integrating real-time control systems.
- Strong knowledge of networking, APIs, and secure software design.
Desired:
- MS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.
- Experience with spacecraft or aerospace ground systems.
- Background in real-time data visualization and operator console development.
- Experience with mission simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, or flatsat test environments.
- Familiarity with aerospace communication standards (CCSDS, telemetry/command formats).
- Security certifications or experience with mission-critical cybersecurity.
- Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one.