Company Overview
This organization is a rapidly growing, privately held space technology company advancing lunar exploration and developing innovative solutions for missions to the Moon and beyond. The team operates with a strong mission-driven culture rooted in customer focus, technical excellence, ownership, and curiosity. Collaboration across disciplines is central to how complex spaceflight challenges are solved, from early design through mission operations.
Position Summary
The Principal Software Engineer is responsible for architecting and leading the development of both ground and flight software supporting lunar and deep-space missions. This role spans the full software lifecycle, from system design and implementation through testing, integration, and mission operations. The ideal candidate combines deep hands-on technical expertise with the ability to guide, mentor, and influence engineers across software, navigation, and astrodynamics disciplines.
This position is based in Westminster, Colorado and is well suited for someone who is passionate about space exploration and motivated by solving complex, mission-critical engineering problems.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Architecture
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Serve as a senior technical authority for software architecture, design decisions, and technology selection.
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Define and guide software engineering standards, best practices, and architectural patterns across programs.
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Shape long-term strategy for software-domain mission integration and scalable system design.
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Act as a technical mentor and role model, providing guidance across experience levels.
Software Engineering Execution
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Apply software engineering principles across flight software, ground systems, and cloud-based or embedded autonomous systems.
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Lead software development across the full lifecycle, including requirements definition, implementation, testing, integration, and mission support.
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Architect solutions for new projects, conduct technical analyses, document results, and present findings to engineering and program leadership.
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Ensure high-quality development pipelines through rigorous testing practices and enforcement of standards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategy
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Collaborate with navigation, astrodynamics, and space systems engineers to deliver integrated mission solutions.
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Identify customer needs and technical gaps, propose software solutions, and clearly articulate value to stakeholders.
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Support proposal development by providing accurate technical inputs, estimates, and solution strategies.
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Contribute subject matter expertise to internal research and development initiatives aligned with company strategy.
Team Development
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Mentor staff and senior engineers, including guidance on estimation, architecture, and technical decision-making
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Support development of a cohesive, high-performing software engineering team.
Required Qualifications
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Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
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15+ years of experience in spacecraft software systems, system architecture, or mission control environments.
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Expert-level understanding of software development concepts, principles, and applied engineering practices.
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Demonstrated hands-on expertise in C/C++ and Python.
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Strong knowledge of embedded software development in resource-constrained environments and embedded Linux.
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Experience with Git-based version control, Agile development methodologies, Linux and Windows environments, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS), and containerization tools such as Docker.
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Strong communication, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
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Proven ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and lead less experienced engineers
Preferred Experience
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Design and development of real-time embedded flight software and firmware for satellite systems, including NASA core Flight System (cFS).
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Development of ground software for satellite systems, including modern web-based front-end frameworks such as React.
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Experience debugging and modifying complex systems under rigorous process and coding standards.
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Demonstrated commitment to mentoring junior engineers and interns.
Eligibility Requirements
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Ability to work onsite in the Westminster, CO office 3 to 5 days per week.
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U.S. Citizenship required.
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Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance.
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Role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information; employment is contingent upon authorization.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Associate Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply for open positions with our company.