Flight Systems Engineer - Embedded Systems Software SME

Job Title

Flight Systems Engineer - Embedded Systems Software SME

Location

EDWARDS, CA 93523 US (Primary)

Category

Engineering

Job Type

Full-Time

Compensation Minimum (USD)

$200,000

Compensation Maximum (USD)

$260,000

Education

Master's Degree

Minimum Citizenship Status Required

U.S. Citizen

Security Clearance Required

Secret

Job Description

About Science and Technology Corporation (STC):
Founded in 1979, Science and Technology Corporation (STC) delivers an extensive range of award-winning advanced scientific, engineering, and technical support services to the U.S. Government and Industry customers. Our proven expertise and experience span scientific research, development, test and evaluation in areas such as earth and atmospheric sciences, engineering, data science and software engineering. Will you join our world-class team?

• Employment Category: Full-time/Exempt
• Location: NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), Edwards, CA or Remote
• Travel: None
• Security Clearance: Secret
• Citizenship:  Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Salary: $200,000 - $260,000

 

Job Summary

The Flight Systems Engineer – Embedded Systems Software Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides senior-level technical leadership in embedded avionics software development supporting multi-Center NASA research programs including FDC, GoSWIFT, Raven, and X-59.

This position directly supports the design, architecture, development, integration, verification, and oversight of onboard aircraft avionics software and Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) across manned and unmanned aircraft platforms—from subsonic to supersonic regimes, including UAV systems.

The engineer applies extensive experience in flight control software, vehicle management computers, operational flight programs, and integrated health management systems to ensure robust, safety-critical software architectures and successful flight-test operations. The role serves as a senior technical authority guiding complex software configurations through design reviews, integration milestones, and operational deployment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Architect and develop embedded flight software for onboard avionics and Vehicle Management Computers (VMCs).
• Provide technical oversight of Flight Control Software, Operational Flight Programs (OFPs), Flight Simulation environments, and Integrated Health Management/Vehicle Management systems.
• Lead software architecture definition, modularization, and system partitioning for safety-critical flight applications.
• Develop diagnostic and fault isolation strategies for avionics and vehicle systems.
• Support system-level integration and verification activities including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and flight-test validation.
• Participate in system design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and readiness reviews (TRR, FRR) as a senior technical authority.
• Ensure compliance with NASA software assurance, safety, airworthiness, and mission-assurance requirements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams across AFRC, GRC, and LaRC to resolve integration and performance issues.
• Support development of test procedures, review telemetry and software performance data, and author post-test analyses.
• Provide technical mentorship and engineering insight to early-career engineers and system-integration teams.

 

Work Environment & Schedule

On-site at NASA AFRC (Edwards AFB), or remote near GRC or LaRC as mission needs dictate.

Typical Schedule: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM, 9/80 compressed schedule (80 hours over 9 workdays per two-week period).

Work is conducted in office, laboratory, integration, hangar, and control-room environments supporting ground and flight-test operations. Occasional extended hours or travel may be required to support design reviews, integration events, or flight-test campaigns.

Key Benefits and Impact

Directly support NASA advanced research aircraft programs including X-59 and other emerging flight systems.

Influence embedded flight software architecture and vehicle management systems for next-generation aerospace platforms.

Collaborate with NASA engineers, pilots, and industry partners on cutting-edge flight-test initiatives.

Play a key role in advancing embedded avionics and safety-critical software engineering best practices across NASA’s flight research portfolio.

 

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off Starting at 80 hrs/yr, 11 Federal holidays, and 40 hrs/yr Sick Leave
• 401K with up to 4% employer matching contribution
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Tuition reimbursement

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Science (CS), Computer Engineering (CE), or related field.
• Minimum of 25 years of direct experience in embedded systems software development for aerospace or safety-critical applications.
• Demonstrated experience in Flight Control Software, Vehicle Management Computer architectures, Operational Flight Programs, diagnostic and fault isolation systems, and integrated health management software.
• Proven ability to architect complex embedded avionics systems from concept through implementation.
• Experience supporting manned and unmanned aircraft systems across subsonic and supersonic platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of C/C , Linux, VxWorks, Green Hills, Python, and OpenGL.
• Familiarity with DO-178, TCP/IP, FTP, JTAG, MIL-STD-1553, RS-232/422/485, and ARINC 429.
• U.S. Citizenship required. Active Secret clearance required at time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Engineering or related field or demonstrated equivalent or greater industry standing reflecting recognized technical authority in embedded flight software and avionics systems, such as service as a Chief Engineer, Technical Fellow, Senior Technical Fellow, or comparable program-level engineering authority.
• Experience supporting NASA experimental or research aircraft programs.
• Familiarity with Core Flight Software (cFS).
• Experience with ADA for legacy flight systems.
• Experience in multi-Center program coordination.
• Experience with model-based development and simulation environments.

We are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers, committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under state or local law.