Flight Software Engineer

Open Cosmos Ltd
Didcot, OX11 0RL, United Kingdom
6 months ago
Job Type
Permanent
Work Pattern
Full-time
Work Location
On-site
Seniority
Mid
Education
Degree
Posted
17 Dec 2025 (6 months ago)

Aim high, go beyond!

At Open Cosmos we are solving the world’s biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on…

The CTO division is where Open Cosmos technology comes to life. Covering engineering, product development, and technical innovation, the team designs, builds, and operates the satellites, systems, and platforms that make our missions possible. It’s a highly collaborative environment where ideas become real hardware, software, and data solutions that deliver impact from space.

Working in the Flight Software Team

Working across the full mission lifecycle, the team designs, implements, and tests software for both onboard and ground systems, ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability across our growing satellite fleet. Collaborating closely with systems, electronics, and mission operations, the team brings together innovation and precision to make every Open Cosmos mission fly.

What You'll Be Doing

This role develops, implements and tests software both on land and in orbit. You’ll contribute to mission-critical systems that underpin Open Cosmos’s growing satellite fleet — from flight logic to communications, automation and onboard resource management.

You will:

  • Design, develop, and test flight and ground software for satellite subsystems, ensuring robustness, reliability, and maintainability.

  • Implement embedded code in Rust, C, and C++ for onboard computers, payloads, and communication systems.

  • Develop mission-critical functionality, including telemetry handling, command execution, and fault detection/recovery.

  • Maintain and enhance software tools and test frameworks used across the development and verification lifecycle.

  • You’ll work closely with engineers across systems, electronics, and mission operations to deliver safe, efficient, and scalable software.

What You’ll Bring

  • Strong programming skills in Rust (or a background in C++ and will to learn. C++, C#, others have portable skills to rust).

  • Familiarity with Linux-based development and embedded systems.

  • Understanding of spacecraft subsystems such as ADCS, EPS, and communications.

  • Applied knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and version control.

  • A problem-solving mindset, creativity, and teamwork skills to match our mission pace.

For this role you can be based in any of our locations.

To apply, you must have the legal right to work in your chosen location.

Please submit your application and CV in English.

Why Open Cosmos?

  • Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.

  • A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges.

  • A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.

Related Jobs

View all jobs
Spotlight

Lead Systems Engineer – Space

Lockheed Martin Newcastle, North East England, United Kingdom
£93,000 – £116,000 pa On-site Clearance Required
Spotlight

Lead AIT Engineer (Satellite Delivery)

Exobotics Ltd London, United Kingdom
£62,000 – £82,000 pa Hybrid

Senior Flight Software Engineer

Open Cosmos Ltd Didcot, OX11 0RL, United Kingdom
On-site

Software Engineer - AA

Holt Engineering Three Bridges, West Sussex, West Sussex, RH10 1QG, United Kingdom
£50,000 – £65,000 pa Hybrid

Software Engineer

Holt Executive West Sussex, United Kingdom

Senior Spacecraft Software Engineer

Spire Glasgow, Alba / Scotland, G2 1AL, United Kingdom

Software Developer

Holt Executive West Sussex, United Kingdom

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Where to Advertise Space Jobs in the UK (2026 Guide)

Where to advertise space jobs UK in 2026: the specialist boards, agency channels and community routes that reach satellite, propulsion and launch talent. The candidate pool spans satellite engineers, propulsion specialists, mission analysts, ground segment software developers, space systems architects and commercial space professionals — a highly specific multidisciplinary community that general job boards are poorly equipped to reach. The strongest space candidates are often embedded in ESA programmes, academic research groups, UK Space Agency-funded projects or established primes, and move between roles through sector-specific networks, industry bodies and conference communities rather than mainstream platforms. This guide, published by UKSpaceJobs.co.uk, covers where to advertise space industry roles in the UK in 2026, how the main platforms compare, what employers should expect to pay, and what the data says about hiring across different role types.