Space Embedded Software Engineer Jobs

Engineers who write the software that runs on board a spacecraft. Real-time, fault-tolerant and updated from the ground, if at all.

Open roles
4
Salary range
£40k – £86k
Hiring companies
3

Space Embedded Software Engineers develop on-board and flight software: the code that controls a spacecraft, handles its data, manages faults and runs instruments. It runs on constrained, radiation-tolerant processors and must keep working when things go wrong.

Adverts ask for C or C++, real-time operating systems, and experience with space or safety-critical software standards. Employers include satellite manufacturers, payload builders and space start-ups.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Space Embedded Software Engineer

A week mixes development and testing, often on hardware-in-the-loop rigs, with reviews and documentation.

  1. 01
    Develop flight software in C or C++.
  2. 02
    Implement fault detection and recovery.
  3. 03
    Test on hardware-in-the-loop rigs.
  4. 04
    Integrate software with avionics hardware.
  5. 05
    Write documentation for software reviews.
Salary on the board

£40k – £86k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 13 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
22% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Senior
38
102
7 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 27 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

C
70%
C++
63%
Embedded Systems
48%
CAN
37%
Linux
33%
SPI
33%
RTOS
33%
Embedded Software
26%
Python
26%
ARM
22%
Agile
19%
Rust
19%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for space embedded software engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Graduate Embedded Software Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Develops and tests modules under senior guidance.

  2. Level 2

    Embedded Software Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Owns software components through integration and test.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Embedded Software Engineer

    5–10 yrs

    Leads flight software for a spacecraft or instrument.

  4. Level 4

    Embedded Software Lead

    10+ yrs

    Sets flight software architecture and leads the software team.

Pathway

How to become a Space Embedded Software Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Study computer science or electronics

    Degrees in computer science, electronic or aerospace engineering.

  2. 2

    Learn embedded C

    Microcontroller and RTOS experience from projects or placements.

  3. 3

    Join a space or safety-critical team

    Early roles in space, defence or automotive software.

  4. 4

    Own flight software components

    Take components through test and into flight.

  5. 5

    Lead flight software

    Become responsible for the whole on-board software system.

Live jobs

4 live roles

Spire logo

Spire · 51–200 people · Series C

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

  • Glasgow
  • Hybrid · 3 days in office
  • Senior

Design, implement, test and maintain embedded firmware for satellite systems, working across engineering groups on architecture and system design. Debug on-orbit and on-ground issues, optimise serial protocols and build interface tooling, using Embedded C, FreeRTOS, Python, Bash and Git on Linux. Fast design-to-launch cycles measured in weeks.

FreeRTOS · GNU ARM Embedded Toolchain · GDB +6

2 weeks ago

Filtronic

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

  • Cambridge
  • Hybrid
  • Senior
  • Permanent

Designs, develops and integrates embedded software and firmware for advanced RF and communications products across the full lifecycle, from concept to volume manufacture. Strong focus on Zephyr-based development alongside embedded Linux, Yocto, bare-metal firmware, networking and secure communications, working closely with RF, FPGA, hardware and systems engineers.

Zephyr · Linux · Yocto +7

Last month

CesiumAstro

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

  • Milton Keynes
  • Lead

Owns embedded software across the full development lifecycle, from requirements and block diagrams through coding, testing, qualification and in-orbit support. Works on Linux-based single-board computers and high-reliability microcontroller systems, including low-level drivers, BSPs and FPGA API design, and presents design reviews to customers and executives.

Linux · ARM · FPGA +1

8 months ago

CesiumAstro

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

  • Milton Keynes
  • Senior

Designs and implements embedded software across the full stack, from low-level drivers and board support packages to end-use applications, for Linux-based single-board computers and high-reliability microcontroller systems used in satellites, UAVs and launch vehicles. Involves code review, testing, qualification, in-orbit support and presenting design reviews to customers and executives.

Linux · FPGA · ARM

3 months ago
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

FAQs

Common questions

  • Safety-critical experience from defence, automotive or rail is often accepted.

  • ECSS software standards appear in many European space adverts.

  • Often yes, but updates are infrequent and carefully controlled, so getting it right before launch matters.

  • The salary section on this page is drawn from live adverts on the board.

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