Staff Flight Software Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><div style="font-family: 'Instrument Sans', 'Segoe UI', Trebuchet MS, Tahoma, sans-serif;"> <p style="line-height: 1.4;">Vast is developing next-generation <strong>space stations and space infrastructure</strong> using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced <strong>Vast Satellite</strong>, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.</p> <p style="line-height: 1.4;">Headquartered in<strong> Long Beach, California</strong>, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.</p> </div></div><p>Vast is looking for a <strong>Staff Flight Software Engineer</strong>, reporting to <strong>Senior Manager, Flight Software, </strong>to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. </p> <p>This will be a <strong>full</strong>-<strong>time</strong>, <strong>exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach</strong> location.</p> <p>You will develop fault-tolerant code for safety-critical systems, and work closely with the avionics team to integrate flight code with avionics hardware. Most importantly, you will work as part of a team that believes that finding and fixing errors is a positive experience that will make everyone’s work better, and makes the team stronger as we continuously improve our processes and products.</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Work with the Flight Software team to create highly reliable flight software for all Haven missions</li> <li>Work cross functionally with all other disciplines GNC, Thermal, Propulsion, Power, and ECLSS to support algorithm implementation and integration into the flight software</li> <li>Assess and critique code, ensuring adherence to best practices and established standards, in code reviews</li> <li>Develop driver-level code to interface with radios, sensors, and actuators onboard for all Haven missions</li> <li>Develop and maintain the Telemetry and Commanding Systems which will be used to communicate with our vehicles</li> <li>Develop unit and integrated tests, and establish continuous integration framework for flight</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline</li> <li>10+ years of experience coding in C++</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Fault-tolerant and safety-critical software design</li> <li>Experience developing software for complex systems such as spacecraft, aircraft or autonomous vehicles</li> <li>Experience working in a continuous build and test environment</li> <li>Experience with Embedded Systems</li> <li>Experience working with satellite communications or telemetry systems</li> <li>Hands-on experience with serial protocols such as UART, CAN, I2C, SPI, and/or Ethernet (TCP/UDP)</li> <li>Understanding of Linux kernel software and drivers</li> <li>Network programming experience</li> <li>Familiarity with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters</li> <li>Familiarity with the Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Bitbucket, Confluence)</li> <li>Familiarity with Git, Cmake, and GNU tools</li> <li>Able to work in a Linux environment</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$188,600</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$267,700 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><div style="font-family: 'Instrument Sans', 'Segoe UI', Trebuchet MS, Tahoma, sans-serif;"> <p style="line-height: 1; font-size: 14px;"><em>We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.</em></p> <p style="line-height: 1;"> </p> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS<br></strong><br>Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, an