Flight Software Systems Engineer for Space Missions

You have a strong background in embedded and real-time software development combined with systems-level experience in software architecture, requirements engineering, interface definition, integration, and functional verification. You are comfortable working across mission, spacecraft, avionics, payload, software, and operations domains. We are looking for someone with:

Additionally, the following characteristics are a plus:

• Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, robotics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in flight software, embedded software, or mission-critical software systems.
• Strong programming skills in C and C++ for resource-constrained embedded targets.
• Experience with real-time operating systems, embedded Linux, or bare-metal development.
• Experience in software systems engineering, including architecture definition, functional decomposition, hardware-software allocation, requirements management, and interface control.
• Ability to translate mission and spacecraft requirements into software specifications, operational concepts, and verification strategies.
• Experience integrating flight software with avionics hardware, sensors, actuators, communication buses, payloads, or ground systems.
• Understanding of telemetry and telecommand, onboard data handling, timing, autonomy, fault management, and spacecraft operations.
• Hands-on experience with software integration, debugging, automated testing, and hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Experience with configuration management, version control, release processes, technical baselines, and requirements traceability.
• Ability to assess software-related technical resources, including processing capacity, memory, timing, bandwidth, and reliability margins.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Knowledge of radiation effects, redundancy, memory protection, watchdogs, and FDIR.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken; is an advantage but not required.
• Experience developing flight software for CubeSats, small satellites, scientific instruments, planetary systems, or Class D/ -type missions.
• Experience leading or coordinating software-related and functional AIT activities, including test planning, execution, anomaly resolution, and system-level functional verification.
• Experience integrating payload software with spacecraft platforms supplied by external industrial partners.
• Familiarity with ECSS software engineering and software product assurance standards, NASA software practices, or comparable development frameworks.
• Experience with spacecraft protocols and buses such as SpaceWire, CAN, UART, SPI, I²C, Ethernet, or CCSDS-based services.
• Experience with flight software frameworks or operating systems such as NASA cFS, F Prime, RTEMS, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or equivalent.
• Experience with autonomous systems, robotic software, relative navigation, formation flying, or distributed spacecraft coordination.
• Experience with FPGA or firmware interfaces and hardware-software co-design.
• Experience with EGSE, simulators, ground software, commissioning, or in-orbit operations.
• Experience collaborating with international partners, space agencies, research institutions, or spacecraft suppliers.
• knowledge of flight software suppliers.

We value diversity and sustainability In line with , ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a . Curious? So are we. We look forward to receiving your application by Wed Nov 4th, 2026 with:

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. Further information about Department can be found on . Questions regarding the position should be directed to ( @ ) (no applications). For recruitment services the apply. About ETH Zürich ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Culmannstrasse 8 8006 Zürich

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• A dynamic, international, and interdisciplinary work environment at one of the world’s leading technical universities.
• A motivated team sharing a passion for space, science, and engineering.
• opportunity to contribute to space missions from early concept and software architecture through integration, launch, and operations.
• Work across spacecraft, payload, robotics, autonomy, and distributed-system applications.
• Your CV
• references (if available) and diplomas
• In lieu of a motivation letter, a short max. 90-sec video about yourself and your motivation for this position*
• We would like to get to know you better. Therefore, we kindly request a brief video introduction. A professionally produced video is not required; a simple recording using your smartphone is sufficient. Please upload the video to a platform of your choice (e.g., Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.) and include the link either in your CV or in the comment field of the online application portal.
• ETH Zürich