Lead Flight Software Engineer

Satellite imagery is a historically-scarce resource, whose adoption has been slowed by an unbalanced relationship between price and resolution. In theory, frequent, ultra high-resolution imagery of Earth has near infinite applications; in reality, only a sliver of that potential has been realized.

Albedo aims to be the catalyst in unlocking satellite imagery’s latent potential, hoping to expand current applications and propel the discovery of new use cases. Whether our imagery is being used to reduce wildfire risk, assess the environmental impact of global forestry, contribute to timely 3D reconstructions of urban areas, or monitor carbon emissions from industrial power plants, our mission is to get better data into the hands of decision-makers fast. We’re modernizing how satellite imagery is used by providing near real-time access to our ultra-high resolution data.

What We’re Up To Albedo is developing a novel approach to the earth observation industry, both in space and with our business model. We are intentionally doing things differently by taking (calculated) risks, trying new things, and moving with speed. Our team believes satellite imagery is a valuable resource that should be made accessible, in every sense of the word. We are committed to our customers, ensuring that what we’re building is what they want. We are playing at the edges of how traditional New Space technologies have been approached, and we want to shake up the industry as it stands today.

Who We’re Looking For Albedo is launching next-generation, ultra high-resolution imaging satellites to service a global audience through a modern, cloud-based product interface. In order to achieve this goal, we are looking for a team of people who are both passionate about our mission and are willing to put in the work to design, develop, and test an innovative earth observation concept in the commercial industry. The times ahead will be set in a fast-paced, often uncertain environment, but if you are hard-working, kind, and team-oriented, you can expect a rewarding and purposeful experience.

The Lead Flight Software Engineer will be responsible for overseeing the development, integration, and testing of flight software for spacecraft. This includes assisting with software development and integration, advising on simulation environments, and overseeing the development of software subsystems. They will also work with the FSW architect to build efficient, deterministic, multi-threaded software and propose FPGA offloading approaches to meet hard real-time tasking.

What You'll Do

• Assist Albedo’s flight software framework make/buy trades to closure

• Serve as an active technical sounding board for every aspect of space flight software planning, design, construction, unit testing, and formal testing

• Work with real-time embedded software partners (internally and/or commercial FSW framework supplier) to install/build bare metal configuration + OS-specific BSP and toolchain on the target processor

• Advise on Albedo’s flight software dev, non-real-time, and real-time simulation environments, soliciting input from internal teams and commercial software supplier

• Assist with the development and integration software (glueware) to implement/script/mechanize an automated continuous integration (CI) process for executing and analyzing tests

• Work with avionics, flight hardware, and programmable logic subject matter experts to develop low-level timing and device interfaces to flight software

• Oversee and make significant contributions to the development, integration, and testing of flight software at the command & telemetry, hardware driver, and application layers

• This may involve developing from scratch; leveraging or modifying source code from Albedo’s commercial flight software framework; collaborating with or overseeing support teams at the commercial software supplier

• Participate in defining, designing, developing, testing, and deploying software subsystems, which shall include FDIR, sequence engines, memory/file management, GN&C, GPS state, payload control and monitoring, Communication, Thermal Control System, Propulsion, and Electrical Power System, etc.

• Work with FSW Architect to build efficient, deterministic, multi-threaded software that runs on Albedo’s dual-core processor. Mechanize solutions for hard real-time processing requirements that may be verified during development, integration, and even on-orbit

• Propose FPGA offloading approaches to meet hard real-time tasking

• Work with test teams to execute flight software test campaigns from low-to-high levels: timing, functional, mission scenarios, etc

• Help develop and maintain automated systems for Albedo flight software command and telemetry databases

• Support key bus and vehicle level integration and test campaigns

• Support the development of real-time test beds

• Support preparation, planning, rehearsals, procedure development, and crew training for flight operations

• Support integration of flight command & control within Albedo’s ground infrastructure

What You'll Bring

• Technical expertise: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is required. A minimum of 10 years of experience in space flight software development, design, and testing is also required. The candidate should have a strong technical background in software engineering principles, programming languages (e.g., C, C++), real-time operating systems, and embedded systems.

• Experience in space flight software development: The candidate must have a minimum of 8 years of experience in developing, integrating, and testing software subsystems for spacecraft such as FDIR, sequence engines, memory/file management, GN&C, GPS state, payload control and monitoring, Communication, Thermal Control System, Propulsion, and Electrical Power System, etc. They should also have a minimum of 5 years of experience in developing low-level timing and device interfaces to flight software.

• Project management skills: The candidate must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in project management to oversee the development, integration, and testing of flight software at the command & telemetry, hardware driver, and application layers. They should also have experience in working with avionics, flight hardware, and programmable logic subject matter experts.

• Communication skills: The candidate should have excellent communication skills to work with internal teams and commercial software suppliers. A minimum of 5 years of experience in providing technical guidance and advice to all aspects of space flight software planning, design, construction, unit testing, and formal testing is required.

• Continuous integration and testing: The candidate should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in developing and integrating software (glueware) to implement an automated continuous integration (CI) process for executing and analyzing tests. They should also have experience in working with test teams to execute flight software test campaigns from low-to-high level: timing, functional, mission scenarios, etc.

• Real-time processing: The candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in developing efficient, deterministic, multi-threaded software that runs on dual-core processors. They should have experience in mechanizing solutions for hard real-time processing requirements that may be verified during development, integration, and even on-orbit. They should also have experience in proposing FPGA offloading approaches to meet hard real-time tasking.

What We Believe Are Important Traits For This Role

-Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively pass on and share your knowledge with others

-Flexibility: We are a small team doing a lot of things - a flexible and positive mindset is instrumental for success!

-A humble and open mind: willingness to accept feedback and consistently improve upon yourself and the product you will be responsible for

-A high degree of emotional intelligence: the ability to collaborate closely with coworkers in a respectful and empathetic manner

-Belief in the value of diversity: active appreciation of each person’s unique perspective and realizing that diversity produces better outcomes

-Alignment and willingness to champion Albedo's Core Values (https://albedo.com/post/our-core-values)

Benefits

• Employee-friendly equity compensation (https://blog.samaltman.com/employee-equity)

• Remote-first, asynchronous culture with flexible working hours

• 4% direct matching 401k

• Insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental, Mental Health

• Parental leave and childcare coverage

• Relocation bonus for moving to our Denver, CO HQ

• 20 paid vacation days, yours from day one

• 10 company holidays and unlimited sick days

• $100 monthly wellness benefit

• Team retreats to build relationships in-person

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires in-person engagement by working on-site, depending on the company phase. Travel to other possible non-Albedo locations may be required.

Relocation: Relocation for this position is available

Working Conditions: Work is performed in a small office environment, laboratory, cleanroom, or production floor.

US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED

Additional Requirements: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. All persons hired will be required to be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Albedo is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Questions? Feedback? Feel free to email us at careers @ albedo.com