Flight Software Engineer

About Ad Astra

Ad Astra Rocket Company (Ad Astra) is an innovative US R&D company dedicated to the development of advanced plasma rocket technology for in-space transportation. The company headquarters and main laboratory are located in the city of Webster, TX, about 25 miles south of downtown Houston. Ad Astra also owns and operates a small subsidiary, located in northwestern Costa Rica and primarily focused on developing and implementing clean energy solutions based on green hydrogen for both stationary and mobile applications.

Job Overview
The Flight Software Engineer will support the development of flight software and hardware required to support the full spectrum of Ad Astra’s mission architectures using the VASIMR® propulsion system under both solar and nuclear electric power. The position requires a deep knowledge of space flight systems software and hardware for both, centralized and distributed control and diagnostics architectures. These skills will be applied to the development of flight software for the VASIMR® VF150™ Electric Propulsion Package (EPP) as an integrated system of systems, as well as flight software required to interface the EPP with the host spacecraft.

The position requires expertise in flight software design, systems integration & test, as well as the ability to design and implement “digital twins” of the EPP at the system level and as an integrated propulsion package. Digital twins will be used for virtual simulation of engine operation and test and to validate the operational robustness of the flight software as well as exercise fault-tolerant operational flight protocols.

In this position, successful candidates will develop a thorough understanding of the VASIMR® engine technology and its performance envelope, at power levels ranging from hundreds of kW to multi-MW, under constant and variable specific impulse (Isp) and utilizing a variety of propellants.

The Flight Software position is for full-time employment at the Ad Astra main laboratory and corporate headquarters at 141 W. Bay Area Boulevard in Webster, Texas. The facility comprises a combined design, simulation, manufacturing, R&D and test infrastructure. The position is available to only US citizens or permanent residents who are legaly able to work in the United States. the Flight Software Engineer will report to the VF150™ Program Manager (PgM).

Responsibilities

• From the present laboratory NI-cRIO/LabView control architecture, support the development of a new control system architecture, suitable for space flight, including hardware and software reliability and fault tolerance.
• Develop a plan for an orderly transition to a flight architecture and execute that plan in concert with the rest of the flight program.
• Participate in the testing of the EDU from a control systems perspective support the hardware and software evolution from the EDU to the flight engine.
• Support the development of virtual digital-twin engine simulation platforms and use these platforms to test and validate flight software packages complementarily with EDU testing.
• Support the development of hardware and software requirements for the other engine systems and work with the team to ensure these requirements are met.
• Develop the interfaces with the other engine systems and with the host spacecraft, and develop the respective interface control documents (ICDs)
• Coordinate constraints and deconflict requirements across multiple systems
• Ensure coordination of design changes and associated impacts across systems and subsystems
• Identify program risks and associated mitigations
• Participate in integrated performance assessments and trade studies
• Assist with other administrative duties as required in support of the team

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Software Engineering and/or Computer Science. This requirement can also be met by demonstrated equivalent experience in flight hardware and software integrated development and design
• Demonstrated experience in spacecraft avionics, software, guidance navigation and control (GN&C) and spacecraft communications
• Experience in flight software and hardware fault-tolerance and certification processes.

Preferred Skills:

Qualified applicants must have demonstrated excellent leadership and interpersonal skills. They must be excellent verbal and written communicators and positive problem-solvers. Successful candidates must have excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and be able to work as part of a team. While the position will receive high-level direction, applicants must be innovative, result-oriented, self-motivated, and be ready to take the initiative as needed in the work environment with a creative approach to problem solving.

Successful candidates must be able to adapt to the often-unpredictable outcomes of experimental research and development and adapt to changes and/or complex situations. Our team is small, requiring an ability to prioritize and multitask seamlessly.

Qualified applicants must be good managers of people, tasks, and budgets, able to track tasks and anticipate potential outcomes in an agile environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. (i.e., instruments, books, equipment, small devices, and supplies).
• Ability to stand or be seated for long periods of time.
• Stooping, reaching, climbing, working on a ladder, and bending may be periodically required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Webster, TX 77598 (Required)

Work Location: In person