Embedded Flight Software Engineer

Our Mission 
At constellr, we're harnessing the power of space to solve one of Earth’s greatest challenges: climate resilience & security in a changing world. Our thermal satellite constellation delivers the most accurate land surface temperature data on the market, equipping commercial players, governments, defence agencies, and global institutions with the thermal intelligence they need to make strategic decisions– from national security and infrastructure to agriculture and climate resilience. 
 
As a fast-scaling company with offices in Brussels, Freiburg, Munich, Washington and Toulouse, our multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and strategists is building the future of space-based Earth observation

Location: Remote or Hybrid - Germany
Team & Reporting Line: Mission and Space Segment - Reporting to Lead Satellite Systems

Your Role
You will join the constellr Mission & Space Segment team, playing a key role in shaping the onboard software that powers our satellite constellation across its full lifecycle — from early design through to in-orbit operations. 
This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you will help define how our satellites compute, behave, and evolve in space. Your work will directly influence the reliability, performance, and long-term success of constellr’s mission. 
You’ll collaborate closely across the business — working day-to-day with internal engineering teams, Product Assurance, Project Management, and Operations, as well as external suppliers. Together, you will help turn mission concepts into robust, flight-ready software systems. 
In addition to software development, you will contribute to system-level design decisions, support procurement and supplier technical alignment, and help ensure our onboard software is continuously validated, improved, and ready for operation in orbit. 

Key responsibilities
Design, develop, test, and maintain onboard flight software in line with product assurance and safety standards  

Work with stakeholders to define, refine, and manage software requirements across all onboard systems  

Contribute to the design of onboard software architecture, including support for lab-based and in-orbit operational models  

Help define and implement system-level fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies within onboard software  

Support planning and coordination of new software features and upgrades, working closely with external suppliers  

Ensure strong configuration management practices across all onboard software components  

Define verification strategies and testing approaches to ensure robust and reliable flight software  

Take part in verification and validation activities for onboard systems and flight software  

Ensure software — both internally developed and supplier-delivered — meets defined requirements and quality standards  

Support anomaly resolution and non-conformance investigations related to onboard software  

Help define and improve the in-orbit software update process for satellites in the constellr fleet  

Contribute to integration and testing activities using Flatsat and other ground-based environments 

About You
Essential Experience:
We’re looking for someone with strong engineering fundamentals and real-world experience building software for complex, safety-critical or aerospace systems. 
Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field  

Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and full software development lifecycles in complex technical environments  

At least 4 years of experience in software development or software assurance, ideally in aerospace or other safety-critical domains  

Experience with embedded software development, including familiarity with low-level hardware interfaces (e.g., CAN, Camera Link, or similar)  

Exposure to FPGA-based systems and familiarity with relevant ECSS standards (especially Q-ST-60-02)  

Solid grounding in software engineering principles, development methodologies, and lifecycle management tools  

Experience with software testing frameworks, tools, and processes  

Strong practical experience using Git and working within CI/CD pipelines  

Proficiency in Python and C++ 

Nice to have:
These skills would further strengthen your profile, but are not essential: 
Familiarity with ECSS standards and handbooks, including:  
ECSS-E-ST-40C  

ECSS-E-HB-40A  

ECSS-E-ST-20-04C  

ECSS-Q-ST-80C  

ECSS-Q-ST-60-03C  

ECSS-Q-ST-30-02C  

ECSS-E-ST-70-11C  

ECSS-E-ST-70-41C  

ECSS-E-HB-40-02A  

Experience with space communication protocols such as CCSDS and CSP  

Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills  

High attention to detail and a strong quality mindset  

Confidence in identifying inconsistencies and improving technical standards  

Clear communication skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams 

Why Join constellr?
Be part of an ambitious mission to launch the world’s first commercial thermal infrared constellation

Play a defining role in scaling a company at the intersection of space, climate, and security

Flexible work setup with remote and hybrid options

Competitive compensation, including Virtual Share Option Plan (VSOP) for permanent employees

Join a team committed to diversity, inclusion, scientific excellence, and real-world impact