["Head of Flight Software","Head of Flight Software"]

Approach Venture LLC

El Segundo
9 days ago

$180,000–$230,000 Per Year

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Skills

Aerospace and Defenseunmatched
Automotive Automationunmatched
Avionicsunmatched
C Programming Languageunmatched
C++ Programming Languageunmatched
Communication Skillsunmatched
Communications Protocolsunmatched
Computer Hardwareunmatched
Computer Programmingunmatched
Configuration Managementunmatched
Cross-Functionalunmatched
Debugging Skillsunmatched
Documentationunmatched
Embedded Softwareunmatched
Embedded Systemsunmatched
Ethernetunmatched
Fault Managementunmatched
Hardware Developmentunmatched
Leadershipunmatched
Machine Toolunmatched
Memory Managementunmatched
Mentoringunmatched
Microcontrollerunmatched
Multicastunmatched
Network Protocolsunmatched
Operational Communicationsunmatched
Operational Supportunmatched
Project Developmentunmatched
Propulsionunmatched
Python Programming/Scripting Languageunmatched
Radio Frequencyunmatched
Realtime Operating Systemunmatched
Roboticsunmatched
Root Cause Analysisunmatched
Software Administrationunmatched
Software Architectureunmatched
Software Designunmatched
Software Developmentunmatched
Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)unmatched
Software Engineeringunmatched
Software Testingunmatched
Startupunmatched
System Integration (SI)unmatched
System Operationsunmatched
Systems Administration/Managementunmatched
Systems Engineeringunmatched
Team Playerunmatched
Technical Leadershipunmatched
Technical Supportunmatched
Telemetryunmatched
Test Plan/Scheduleunmatched
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)unmatched
Validation Testingunmatched

Description

Head of Flight Software - Lead Software Development for Next-Generation Spacecraft Systems

Los Angeles, CA | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join an early-stage space company developing advanced spacecraft and in-space mobility systems designed for complex orbital and national security missions. This role will lead the flight software function across vehicle development, owning the architecture, execution, integration, and long-term direction of embedded and real-time software systems supporting spacecraft operations. Working closely with the founding team and cross-functional engineering leadership, you will oversee the development of core flight software infrastructure spanning avionics integration, mission management, telemetry, communications, health monitoring, and fault management. This is a highly hands-on leadership role for someone capable of driving technical direction while remaining deeply involved in implementation, testing, and system-level integration.

About Us

We are a venture-backed aerospace startup focused on building advanced spacecraft platforms and propulsion technologies for demanding commercial and defense applications. The company is led by engineers and operators with deep experience across launch, spacecraft, and advanced hardware development. The team operates with a strong emphasis on speed, technical ownership, and iterative hardware execution.

Job Duties

Lead architecture, development, and execution of the company's flight software systems across current and future vehicle programs
Own the full flight software lifecycle including design, implementation, testing, validation, deployment, and operational support
Develop real-time embedded software supporting mission management, command and telemetry, health monitoring, fault handling, and vehicle operations
Drive software integration efforts across avionics, RF systems, propulsion interfaces, sensors, and onboard computing hardware
Lead development of software frameworks, state machines, communication layers, and operational logic for flight systems
Oversee hardware-in-the-loop testing, system bring-up, debugging, and vehicle integration activities
Implement and optimize networking and communication protocols including Ethernet, UDP, multicast, and related interfaces
Collaborate closely with hardware, avionics, GNC, and systems engineering teams to support full vehicle development and mission readiness
Establish software development processes, testing standards, documentation practices, and configuration management workflows
Support technical planning, roadmap development, and scaling of the flight software organization over time
Mentor and help grow future software engineering team members as the company expands

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
5+ years of professional software development experience, with significant ownership of embedded or real-time systems
Demonstrated experience leading development of complex software projects from architecture through deployment
Strong programming experience with C/C++ and Python
Experience developing embedded software for aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, or other safety-critical applications
Strong understanding of real-time operating environments, memory management, scheduling, and low-level system interactions
Experience working directly with avionics hardware, microcontrollers, and integrated vehicle systems
Ability to lead technical decision-making across software architecture and system integration efforts
Experience debugging complex embedded systems and driving root cause analysis activities
Strong communication skills with the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environments

Preferred Experience

Prior experience leading or managing flight software or embedded systems teams
Spacecraft, launch vehicle, autonomous systems, or defense hardware experience
Familiarity with GNC software integration and mission operations concepts
Experience with Rust, Grafana, or related tooling
Experience supporting software qualification, certification, or compliance efforts
Hardware-in-the-loop testing and integrated vehicle validation experience
Startup experience with rapid hardware and software iteration cycles
Experience scaling software infrastructure and engineering processes within growing technical organizations

Why Join Us

Opportunity to lead a critical engineering function at an early-stage aerospace company
Direct ownership over spacecraft flight software architecture and execution
Highly collaborative environment with experienced aerospace founders and technical leadership
Ability to shape technical direction, team structure, and long-term software strategy
Exposure to full vehicle development, testing, and mission operations
Equity participation and significant long-term growth opportunity

Compensation Details

$180,000 - $230,000

#LI-AV

Numbers & Facts

Location	El Segundo
Salary	$180,000–$230,000 Per Year

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