Flight Software Team Lead

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Flight Software Team Lead to join a growing space engineering organisation developing advanced spacecraft and satellite technologies. This role will lead a Flight Software team responsible for the design, development, integration, validation, and maintenance of spacecraft flight software. You will play a key role in shaping the software architecture for satellite missions, ensuring robust development practices, high-quality delivery, and strong collaboration across multidisciplinary engineering teams. Alongside your technical leadership responsibilities, you will also support the development and mentoring of engineers within the team, helping to build a strong and high-performing software capability. Key Responsibilities - Lead the Flight Software team, overseeing the development, integration, validation, deployment, and maintenance of spacecraft flight software - Plan and coordinate the team’s workload, creating schedules for flight software activities across multiple projects - Ensure flight software is delivered to the required quality, schedule, and budget - Mentor and develop team members, fostering a strong and collaborative engineering culture - Act as a subject matter expert in flight software development and oversee the high-level architecture of spacecraft software systems - Work closely with spacecraft subsystem and systems engineering teams to identify software requirements and solutions - Support knowledge sharing across international engineering teams and contribute to technical reviews across programmes - Establish and maintain the software development lifecycle and methodology for flight software development - Collaborate with cyber security specialists to ensure secure software development practices are implemented Essential Skills & Experience - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience - 5+ years’ experience developing flight software for satellite or spacecraft missions - Experience leading engineering teams, either technically or through line management - Strong embedded software development experience using C/C++ - Deep understanding of software development methodologies and lifecycle management - Experience working with and modifying Board Support Packages (BSPs) - Experience with UML-based design methodologies - Experience developing real-time systems for spacecraft or embedded platforms - Experience creating and implementing test plans for spacecraft software - Excellent written and verbal communication skills - Ability to lead technical workstreams while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams - Understanding of secure software development practices within space systems - Experience developing flight software for space missions working with European Space Agency programmes - Knowledge of ECSS standards for flight software Desirable Skills - Experience across the full spacecraft mission lifecycle from concept through to operations - Knowledge of cFE / cFS flight software frameworks - Understanding of ground segment architectures - Familiarity with Agile or Scrum software development practices - Experience with SysML - Linux development and administration experience (shell scripting, make, etc.) - Experience with Python or Bash scripting - Familiarity with MATLAB, WindRiver VxWorks, CCSDS, CAN, SpaceWire - Knowledge of microcontroller assembly languages - Exposure to in-orbit servicing, debris removal, or end-of-life satellite technologies - Understanding of ESA PUS protocol Benefits - Opportunity to work with a talented, diverse, and international engineering team. - Flexible working around core hours in a collaborative, supportive environment. - Hybrid working model with an optional 9/75 compressed schedule. - 25 days’ annual leave (increasing with service) + 8 bank holidays. - Private healthcare, life insurance, and long-term sick pay. - Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship (where applicable). - Modern office and cleanroom facilities. - Regular social and professional development events. TT