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Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
TEThe Exploration Company
The Exploration CompanySpace Exploration

Principal Flight Software Engineer

Flight Software Team Lead

Location

Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

8-12 years

Compensation

Compensation not disclosed

Posted

1d ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

Lead a high-performing team in the development, testing, and integration of flight software for Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle. This role involves driving architectural decisions, enforcing rigorous testing standards, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to ensure mission success.

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Principal Flight Software Engineer (Team Lead) to lead the development of the flight software stack for Nyx. In this critical role, you will guide a team of talented engineers in building and validating the software systems that control and operate the spacecraft—from launch to docking, re-entry, and recovery.

You will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership to deliver high-reliability software under tight mission timelines. You will drive architectural decisions, enforce rigorous testing standards, and foster a culture of ownership, simulation-driven development, and cross-functional collaboration with other subsystems such as GNC, avionics, propulsion, and mission operations.

This is a high-impact leadership position where your decisions directly influence mission success.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a high-performing team of flight software engineers in the design, implementation, testing, and integration of spacecraft software.

  • Own the technical roadmap and execution for flight software, including architecture, modularity, and interfaces across avionics and vehicle subsystems.

  • Set high standards for code quality, test coverage, simulation fidelity, and system robustness.

  • Drive development in modern C++ (C++17 or newer) and Python, enabling safe and efficient spacecraft operations in real-time environments.

  • Oversee the development of test infrastructure, including unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, to ensure flight readiness.

  • Collaborate closely with teams across systems engineering, GNC, propulsion, avionics, and mission operations to define requirements, resolve interface challenges, and validate end-to-end behavior.

  • Participate in and lead code reviews, software audits, flight software simulations, and mission rehearsals.

What we would love to see from you

  • Strong proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or newer) and Python.

  • Experience with real-time systems, embedded development, or spacecraft software.

  • Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex technical problems and drive them to resolution.

  • Familiarity with software testing methodologies and simulation tools.

  • Excellent cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration skills.

  • Good understanding of math & physics

  • Focus on detail, quality, and testing

  • Experience with CI/CD systems and build systems

Nice to have

  • Knowledge of safety critical and real-time critical software and familiarity with RTOS

  • Good understanding of communication protocols such as: TCP/IP, UART, CAN Bus and serialization

  • Experience with automotive or flight software frameworks

  • Background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft systems, or space mission lifecycle.

  • Experience with industry standards such as AUTOSAR, ECSS, DO-178

Updated 1d ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Modern C++ • 1+ yrs
Python • 1+ yrs
Real-time systems • 1+ yrs
Embedded development • 1+ yrs
Software testing methodologies • 1+ yrs
Leadership • 1+ yrs
CI/CD systems • 1+ yrs
RTOS • 1+ yrs

Experience

8-12 years

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Software Engineering

Industries

Aerospace & Space Tech

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Compensation not disclosed

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Benefits and perks

Relocation Assistance
Visa Sponsorship

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationBordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh9/10
physicalLow2/10
cognitiveHigh9/10
executionHigh9/10
creativityMedium7/10
uncertaintyMedium7/10
communicationHigh8/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

The Exploration Company

Team size

Growing team

Location

Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

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Principal Flight Software Engineer

Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FranceFull Time