Flight Software Engineer

NewOrbit Space

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. Your Role Establish and own NewOrbit’s mission operations capability from the start, defining how our spacecraft are commanded, monitored, and operated from the ground. You will lead the setting up of mission control, define spacecraft-ground and ground-station interfaces, develop real-time flight operations concepts, and support LEOP, commissioning, manoeuvres, nominal operations, and anomaly response alongside Mission Design and Communications. Mission Operations Ownership * Lead the development of NewOrbit’s mission operations concept from an early phase, defining operational workflows, responsibilities, flight rules, procedures, and escalation paths. * Act as the responsible engineer for spacecraft operations, ensuring the spacecraft, mission control system, ground stations, and engineering teams are aligned for flight. Mission Control Centre Setup * Define the requirements for NewOrbit’s mission control centre, including mission control software, telemetry displays, command interfaces, alerting, logging, operational dashboards, and access control. * Support the selection, configuration, and validation of tools required for real-time spacecraft operations. Spacecraft-to-Ground Interfaces * Define and manage the operational interfaces between the spacecraft and ground segment, including telemetry, telecommand, command verification, event reporting, time correlation, file transfer, and mission data routing. * Work with Flight Software and subsystem teams to maintain command dictionaries, telemetry databases, packet definitions, limits, and operational constraints. Ground Station Operations * Work with the Communications team to define interfaces with external ground station providers, including pass scheduling, uplink and downlink operations, RF link monitoring, data delivery, and anomaly escalation. * Develop operational approaches for short VLEO passes, missed contacts, changing visibility, and rapid orbit updates. Real-Time Flight Operations * Develop the operational concept for LEOP, commissioning, routine operations, orbit lowering, manoeuvre execution, payload operations, safe mode recovery, and end-of-life activities. * Prepare pass plans, command sequences, operational timelines, and procedures while accounting for spacecraft subsystem and mission design constraints. Procedures, Validation, and Readiness * Write, validate, and maintain operating procedures, contingency procedures, flight rules, console procedures, and operations documentation. * Support end-to-end spacecraft-to-ground testing, mission rehearsals, operational readiness reviews, ground station interface tests, and commissioning preparation. Fundamental Requirements: * Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred. * Industry Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in spacecraft operations or as a spacecraft controller or similar. Previous experience as a spacecraft controller during LEOP, commissioning and safe-mode recovery is highly relevant. * Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of real-time flight operations, including pass preparation, telemetry monitoring, telecommand execution, command verification, anomaly response, and post-pass analysis. Familiarity with CCSDS telemetry/telecommand standards, ECSS Packet Utilisation Standard, file transfer protocols, and time correlation is highly desirable. * Mission Control Software: Experience with mission control system environments such as SCOS-2000, EGS-CC, Yamcs, OpenC3 COSMOS, or similar platforms is desirable. Ability to define operational needs for telemetry displays, command interfaces, alerting, logging, dashboards, and operator workflows. * Programming Ability: Proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages for telemetry analysis, automation, reporting, validation, and operational tooling. Familiarity with Linux, Git, databases, APIs, network interfaces, or operational dashboards is desirable. * Simulation and Testing: Experience supporting mission rehearsals, operational validation, flight software interface testing, procedure validation, and end-to-end spacecraft-to-ground testing. Ability to help prepare mission control systems, ground station interfaces, operational procedures, and teams for launch and commissioning. WHY NEWORBIT SPACE? * Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations. * Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology. * Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success. * Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc. * Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week. * Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.

NewOrbit Space

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. YOUR ROLE You will be the senior AIT authority on the AURA X programme, responsible for planning, developing, and executing the Assembly, Integration and Test campaign for the AURA X gridded-ion thruster and its satellite integration. You will own the AIT flow from engineering model through to flight model acceptance, defining procedures, managing GSE, and leading test campaigns across electrical, mechanical, and system-level activities. In addition to AIT, you will own the programme Quality Management System and Goods In function. As a lean team scaling towards flight, these responsibilities sit naturally within AIT - you will establish and maintain quality processes, define incoming inspection criteria, and be prepared to get hands-on with goods in when needed. You will report into the Programme Director and work across all engineering teams, setting and enforcing quality and AIT standards across the programme. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Define and own the programme AIT flow, master AIT schedule, and test philosophy from EM through FM acceptance. * Write, review, and approve all assembly procedures, test procedures, and integration sequences. * Define cleanroom requirements, contamination control procedures, and ESD/handling standards for the programme. * Identify, specify, and procure Ground Support Equipment (GSE), test fixtures, and specialist tooling. * Plan and lead AIT campaigns on engineering and flight models, including functional testing, environmental test campaigns (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMC), and electrical functional verification. * Manage non-conformance reports (NCRs) and lead dispositions in collaboration with the design team. * Interface with external test facilities and manage test readiness reviews, test witness, and data acceptance. * Interface with the satellite bus integrator to define and manage satellite-level integration requirements and ICD activities. * Own as-built records, travellers, test logs, and acceptance data packs to support full hardware traceability. * Mentor AIT technicians and engineers; build and maintain AIT process documentation and standards. * Own and maintain the programme Quality Management System - establishing quality processes, workmanship standards, and a non-conformance management framework appropriate to a scaling flight hardware programme. * Define goods in inspection criteria and procedures; oversee incoming inspection of purchased parts, materials, and components against purchase orders, drawings, and certificates of conformance. * Manage quarantine and disposition of non-conforming goods received from suppliers. * Maintain calibration records for all programme tooling and test equipment. * Own the programme parts inventory system - maintaining stock records for consumables, fasteners, materials, and critical components, setting minimum stock levels, and ensuring parts availability is confirmed ahead of every AIT campaign. * Raise procurement needs early based on upcoming campaign schedules, working with the wider team to avoid work stoppages caused by missing or late parts. FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS * Significant experience (5+ years) in AIT roles on spacecraft, satellite, or high-reliability programmes. * Demonstrated experience delivering flight hardware through full environmental test campaigns (TVac, vibration, EMC). * Thorough working knowledge of ECSS AIT and quality standards, particularly ECSS-E-ST-10-03 and ECSS-Q-ST-70. * Experience authoring and approving test and assembly procedures to flight standards. * Experience owning or contributing to a Quality Management System on a hardware programme. * Experience managing non-conformances, engineering dispositions, and supplier quality issues. * Experience with satellite-level electrical and mechanical integration. * Knowledge of contamination control and cleanroom operations. * Experience defining GSE requirements and overseeing procurement or in-house build. * Able to communicate effectively across design, test, and management teams. NICE-TO-HAVES * Experience on small satellite programmes or commercial space startups. * Familiarity with electric propulsion system integration. * Experience as principal or chief AIT engineer with full programme ownership. * Experience interfacing with launch authority and range safety. * ISO 9001 or AS9100 internal auditor qualification. PERSONALITY * Process-disciplined and exacting about standards, while pragmatic in a fast-moving development environment. * Natural authority - able to set and hold standards without being rigid or hierarchical. * Comfortable translating between design-engineer and hands-on-technician ways of thinking. * Calm under schedule pressure and experienced at making good decisions when hardware does not go to plan. WHY NEWORBIT SPACE? * Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations. * Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology. * Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success. * Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc. * Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week. * Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.

NewOrbit Space

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. YOUR ROLE We are seeking a Structural Engineer to support the design, analysis, testing, and qualification of structures for our VLEO satellite missions. You will work across the full development lifecycle of flight hardware, from early structural modelling and design reviews through environmental testing and validation, helping ensure the reliability and survivability of spacecraft operating in one of the harshest orbital environments. You will work closely with mechanical, thermal, propulsion, systems, and AIT teams to develop structurally robust hardware capable of surviving launch and sustained operations in Ultra-Low Earth Orbit. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Perform structural analysis of flight hardware including spacecraft structures, propulsion subsystems, and mechanical assemblies. This includes static, modal, random vibration, sine, shock, and quasi-static load cases. * Develop and validate finite element models (FEM) for spacecraft and high-performance aerospace structures. * Perform hand calculations for preliminary analysis in support of FEA. * Support structural sizing, stiffness optimisation, and load path analysis for launch and in-orbit environments. * Plan and execute vibration, shock, and structural qualification testing test campaigns end-to-end: write the test plan, instrument the hardware, interpret the data, correlate the model, and close out the qualification report. * Instrument hardware using accelerometers and strain gauges, and correlate test results back to analytical models. * Review engineering drawings and collaborate directly with designers to drive structural design decisions. * Support qualification activities against relevant aerospace and space standards including GEVS, ECSS, and NASA requirements. * Contribute to structural verification activities across development, integration, and test phases. FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS * Education: B.S. or M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field. * 3+ years of structural analysis experience on flight hardware, including spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, or high-performance structures. * Experience with structural analysis of spacecraft structures and subsystems, including electronic boxes, propulsion systems, hydraulics, or solar panels. * Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM). * Hands-on experience with FEM and ability to justify modelling assumptions and approaches. * Experience with Altair OptiStruct is a strong plus; proficiency with industry-standard solvers such as NASTRAN, ANSYS, or Abaqus is required. * Familiarity with launch environments including random vibration PSDs, SRS shock spectra, and quasi-static load factors. * Practical experience supporting environmental testing, including instrumentation with accelerometers and strain gauges and model correlation activities. * Confidence reading and reviewing engineering drawings and working directly with design engineers on structural decisions. NICE-TO-HAVES * Experience with analysis of composite materials. * Experience with material testing, metallic and composites WHY NEWORBIT SPACE? * Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations. * Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology. * Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success. * Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc. * Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week. * Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.