Flight Software Engineer

Oligo is building a manufacturing-in-the-loop foundation model to automate spacecraft design and production worldwide. Our approach allows customers to focus entirely on their own technology and mission objectives, while we handle everything, from design and manufacturing to launch and operations. Leveraging cutting edge AI-driven generative design and automated manufacturing, our ex-MIT, Harvard, and NASA JPL team work to create the most advanced payload-specific spacecraft at scale in weeks over months.

With two record breaking missions launching in 2026, world‑class advisors on our board, and fresh funding from top investors like Lux Capital, we’re always on the lookout for exceptional builders, fast learners, and ambitious engineers. Whether your passion lies in spacecraft systems, avionics, ML/AI, or advanced manufacturing, you’ll be collaborating across disciplines on real missions that fly, perform in orbit, and scale internationally.

We pair world-class AI/ML talent with top-tier satellite engineers under one roof to reimagine how space systems are built, starting from first principles. No bureaucracy. No legacy thinking.

If you think you’re a fit, we are extremely excited to meet you.

Are you passionate about building the foundational software that powers cutting-edge aerospace systems? Do you thrive on solving complex problems in real-time, high-reliability environments? Join our team as a Mid/Senior Level Flight Software Engineer and play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and deploying the critical software that enables our spacecraft to perform their missions. If you're an expert in F-prime, real-time operating systems, and building robust embedded solutions, we want to talk to you!

What You'll Do

As a Lead/Senior Flight Software Engineer, you'll own significant parts of the flight software lifecycle, from early architecture through on-orbit operations. Your responsibilities will include:

• Designing and implementing flight software components within the F-prime framework, specifically for bare-metal and resource-constrained embedded systems.

• Architecting and contributing to F-prime topology and pattern design, ensuring our software is modular, scalable, and highly reliable.

• Developing and integrating real-time operating system (RTOS) solutions tailored for bare-metal targets, maximizing performance and determinism.

• Modifying, extending, and optimizing CMake build systems to support complex flight software projects, streamlining our development and deployment pipelines.

• Developing and debugging software that interfaces directly with hardware, demonstrating a strong understanding of the OSI model and various communication protocols for robust networked operation.

• Interacting closely with hardware, systems, avionics, and mission operations to ensure seamless end-to-end integration and optimal system performance.

• Developing and executing comprehensive unit, integration, and system tests, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) setups, to validate software in mission-representative conditions.

• Authoring and maintaining critical documentation, including software architecture designs, interface control documents (ICDs), and verification plans.

• Driving root-cause analysis and troubleshooting efforts for complex software and hardware interactions throughout development, testing, and flight operations.

• Contributing to the continuous improvement of our team's software development practices, tooling, and design patterns.

• Optional: Researching, prototyping, and integrating Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms into flight software, optimizing for real-time performance and resource efficiency.

What You'll Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related STEM field.

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in high-reliability embedded software development, with demonstrable full lifecycle ownership from design through test and deployment.

• Proven expertise with the F-prime flight software framework, including significant experience in component development and integration on embedded targets.

• Strong practical experience with RTOS development for bare-metal embedded systems.

• Demonstrated experience with F-prime topology design and architectural patterns.

• Basic proficiency in modifying and maintaining CMake build systems for complex embedded projects.

• Solid understanding of the OSI model and practical experience with networked devices and communication protocols.

• Exceptional proficiency in C/C++ programming for embedded environments, with a strong grasp of object-oriented design.

• Experience with software configuration management tools (e.g., Git, GitLab, Jira) and agile development methodologies.

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills in real-time embedded systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

• Proven experience in documentation and structured communication amongst multi-disciplinary teams

• Ability to carry 40lbs sometimes.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience with Machine Learning (ML) or Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts and their implementation in embedded or real-time systems.

• 5+ years of experience developing embedded software for spacecraft, aerospace systems, robotics, or autonomous vehicles.

• Deep familiarity with various communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, SPI, Ethernet/IP, UART, I2C).

• Experience with advanced testing methodologies, including test automation frameworks (e.g., GTest, PyTest) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) simulation environments.

• Understanding of fault-tolerant architectures, real-time state machines, and autonomous control logic.

• Experience deploying and using CI/CD pipelines for C++ software.

• Prior technical leadership or mentorship experience.

• Willingness to work extended hours or weekends when necessary to meet mission-critical deadlines.

Pay Range

• Salary range: $110,000 - $164,000 / per year.

• This role is on-site in Hawthorne, CA

Benefits

• Equity

• Unlimited PTO

• Medical (Platinum coverage), Vision, & Dental Insurance

• Catering provided on-site everyday.

Additional Information

You may be eligible for our suite of benefits including medical, vision & dental coverage.

ITAR Requirements

US citizens and US persons only at this stage