Flight Software Lead (L3/L4)

Flight Software Lead (Embedded Software Engineer III or IV)

Job Summary:

Specter Aerospace is seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to lead the development and implementation of flight control firmware for custom vehicle avionics. This position will be directly responsible for making architecture decisions, leading firmware development efforts, and contributing to the development of a complete vehicle control simulation environment. As a lead embedded software engineer, you will be responsible for managing vehicle firmware development and interfacing with the relevant electrical, mechanical, and GNC team leads to deliver an integrated final product.

About Specter Aerospace:

Specter Aerospace is building the next generation of hypersonic vehicles for defense and commercial applications. Specter is headquartered in Peabody, MA, just north of Boston, where it leverages its advanced propulsion technologies, manufacturing, and testing capabilities to rapidly develop supersonic and hypersonic systems. Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations, commercial customers, and private funding, Specter is a growing aerospace and defense startup. Close relationships with MIT, Notre Dame, AFRL, NRL, ANL, and other research organizations provide access to cutting-edge developments, facilities, and personnel. Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight testing and full-scale production.

Role & Responsibilities:

Lead the development of high-reliability implementations of control and navigation algorithms

Make high-level decisions regarding system architecture and implementation methodology

Take ownership of the development of HWIL/SWIL test fixtures

Collaborate with GNC engineers to develop a complete controls emulation environment

Serve as the responsible engineer for integration, test, and analysis of vehicle flight avionics

Interface with electrical, GNC, and mechanical teams to refine requirements and ensure complete system functionality while balancing timeline expectations

Take part in technical meetings, engage in technical discussions, and contribute perspectives

Job Requirements:

Bachelors degree in computer science, computer engineering, or another related field

3 years of experience in embedded/software engineering or further relevant degrees

Excellent C programming skills

Experience managing firmware development programs, including defining scope and timelines

Direct experience in flight systems firmware/software development or other critical systems

Familiarity with communications buses and protocols such as CAN, UART, SPI, QSPI, I2C, etc

Comfortable debugging systems through use of oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers

Adept with embedded systems tools, compilers, debuggers, IDEs, etc

Comfortable with project autonomy and working in a fast-paced environment

Available for up to 10% travel for test activities

Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required)

Desired Skills:

Familiarity with other relevant programming languages such as Python, Rust, and C

Experience interfacing with MATLAB C code generation

Experience with integrating wireless communication interfaces

Exposure to developing firmware on multiple platforms/microcontrollers

Familiarity with developing code to meet safety and reliability certifications such as DO-178C

Comfortable reading schematics generating with ECAD tools such as Altium, KiCAD, OrCAD, etc

Familiarity with aerospace and military hardware design standards (IPC, MIL-SPEC, etc)

Previous professional or student team (FSAE, SEDS, AIAA, etc) project experience directly relevant to the requirements for this position

More About Specter Aero:

https://specteraerospace.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/specteraerospace/mycompany/

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/specter-aerospace-reveals- plasma-ignited-hypersonic-missile

https://www.kairosventures.com/specter-aerospace/

*All new employees must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check