Flight Software Engineer – Autonomous Spacecraft

About the role

Astroscale France is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to design, develop, and validate safety‑critical flight software for autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations and robotic servicing missions, including debris removal and life‑extension.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop and validate onboard flight software ensuring deterministic real‑time execution under constrained resources.
• Define and maintain software interfaces (ICDs) with spacecraft subsystems and integrate GNC and computer‑vision algorithms.
• Contribute to software architecture, hardware‑software partitioning and implement robust fault detection, isolation and recovery mechanisms.
• Develop and run Software‑in‑the‑Loop and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop test campaigns supporting mission validation.
• Liaise with GNC, computer‑vision and subsystem teams, support reviews with partners, and facilitate knowledge transfer across global teams.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, software engineering or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience developing real‑time embedded software (C/C++) for safety‑critical systems.
• Strong debugging skills across software, hardware interfaces and system‑level interactions.
• Fluent in French and English and eligible to work in Europe.

Required skills

• C/C++ programming for deterministic, multi‑threaded real‑time environments.
• Experience with hardware interfacing, drivers and embedded operating systems (e.g., VxWorks, RTEMS).
• Proficiency with Git version control and CI pipelines (e.g., GitLab).
• Familiarity with aerospace communication protocols and standards such as CCSDS, CAN, SpaceWire.
• Knowledge of the cFS software framework and Linux‑based development.

What we offer

• Premium family health insurance fully funded by the company.
• Employer‑funded disability and life insurance coverage.
• Salary maintained from day one of sick leave.
• Hybrid working model (up to 2 remote days per week) with remote work allowance.
• Paid child sickness leave and additional family/caregiving leave.