Flight Software Engineer

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.

We areseeking a Flight Software Engineer to develop, troubleshoot and maintain our Flight Software. The candidate will be one of the engineers responsible for developing new Flight Software, as well as providing Flight Software support for the Assembly, Integration, Test, Launch and Commissioning of our satellites. This will require the candidate to have an in-depth knowledge of not only the Flight Software, but also the system as a whole. The candidate will be an integral member of the Flight Software Team, responsible for developing and maintaining all Embedded Flight Software for AST. All Embedded Software development is done in C++ and can also involve hardware interaction for debugging and board bring-up activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the design, development, and testing of new embedded software from initial concept to subsystem integration, through full system deployment.
• Incorporate mission-specific microcontrollers into full systems capable of full spacecraft control.
• Participate in design, code reviews and testing with the team.
• Debug and troubleshoot embedded systems, including system bugs, hardware failures or combability issues.
• Develop and test application-level software modules that utilize low-level peripheral drivers when applicable.
• Document and communicate design decisions and progress.
• Collaborate with other sub-system engineers to define and advance software specifications for development.

Technical Requirements:

• At least 5-7 years of professional experience working with Embedded Programming
• Ideally with experience in development and support

• Familiar working with a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)
• Proficient with C and C++
  • Comfortable with the C++ 11 (and beyond) standard library
• Experience with multi-threaded environments
  • Consideration for concurrency and inter-process communication
• Familiarity with various protocols such as:
  • Serial communication protocols (RS-232, RS-485, CAN, SPI, etc)
  • Debugging interfaces (SWD, JTAG)
• Comfortable with development tools/technologies such as:
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Logic analyzers
  • Multimeters
• Familiar with reading and analyzing circuit diagrams and schematics
• Comfortable using version control software, preferably Git
• Familiarity with the command-line and command-line tools
• Experience developing software on a Windows PC

Qualifications

• Familiar working with ARM microcontrollers
• Familiar with FPGA programming
• Familiar maintaining a large and complex codebase
• Familiar with some scripting language or languages (Python, Ruby, Bash, etc)
• Background in the Aerospace Sector
• Familiar with Matlab/Simulink

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics or Electrical Engineering preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in Embedded Software development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with STM32 microcontrollers, including proficiency with IDEs; familiarity with 32-bit ARM microcontrollers/SoCs; FPGA programming knowledge; experience maintaining a large and complex codebase; scripting language proficiency (Python, Ruby, Bash, etc.); background in the Aerospace Sector; familiarity with Matlab/Simulink.

Soft Skills:

• Strong collaboration and cross-functional teamwork skills; excellent written and verbal communication for documenting design decisions and progress; meticulous attention to detail in software development and testing; ability to work effectively within a team on design and code reviews; proactive in sharing knowledge and coordinating with sub-system engineers.

Technology Stack:

• C, C++ (C++14 and beyond standard library); Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS); STM32 microcontrollers and ARM-based systems; serial communication protocols (RS-232, RS-485, CAN, SPI); debugging interfaces (SWD, JTAG); development tools including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters; Git version control; Windows development environment; FPGA programming tools; Python/Ruby/Bash scripting; Matlab/Simulink.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office and lab environment; use of a computer and standard hardware debugging tools for extended periods; occasional interaction with electronic hardware and test equipment.

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.

AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.