Flight Software Engineer

Long Wall Company was created in 2024 to accelerate missile defense technology for the U.S. and our allies. We specialize in ballistic missile defense and are developing Cyclops, a low-cost, mass-producible interceptor. We also produce containerized launchers and offer low-cost targets for threat replication. The future of global security depends on defensive technology that redefines cost, magazine depth, and distribution to deter and defend against evolving threats. Join us.
 
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
Mission-Driven Problem Solvers– The problems in missile defense demand ingenuity. We want engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals who approach challenges with curiosity, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on delivering the best solution for the mission.
Total Ownership– We seek those who take full responsibility for delivering flight-ready work while recognizing that no one succeeds alone. The best engineers, technicians, and corporate professionals make their teammates better, knowing that complementary skills create force multiplication and drive mission success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Design and develop highly reliable autonomous flight software for Long Wall's launch vehicles and missile defense systems

- Own flight software development from conception to flight-ready systems through design, development, testing, and integration, with scope of ownership scaling with level

- Collaborate with the flight software team on investigations, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and designing solutions from the engineering phase through system-level testing and production

- Collaborate with the avionics hardware team on electrical and data interface design, and software/hardware integration

- Contribute to the development of feature, regression, software-in-the-loop (SIL), and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, including test design and approaches

- Partner with GNC, avionics, and hardware engineers to integrate flight software with vehicle systems and support ground and flight test campaigns

- Support test and launch operations, including anomaly investigation, resolution, and corrective action

- Define, implement, and test Interface Control Documents (ICD) between vehicle and ground systems

- At senior and staff levels: define and defend flight software architecture, set technical direction for the team, and mentor other engineers

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

- 2+ years of experience in the development of real-time or embedded software; level will be determined by the depth and breadth of relevant experience (senior and principal levels typically require 5+ and 8+ years, respectively)

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Proficiency with C++ and Python in a Linux development environment

- Experience developing software for physical systems that employ sensors, real-time planning and control, commanding of actuators or motors, wired communications, or RF transceivers

- Experience with software testing practices for high-reliability systems, including unit, integration, and regression testing

- Strong software design fundamentals; for senior and staff levels, demonstrated ability to make and defend architectural decisions across a team

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines

- Familiarity with source control systems like Git and team-based software development practices

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Experience designing fault-tolerant or fail-safe software architectures

- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux platforms

- Experience defining and/or using board support packages (BSP) and application software running on a complex, distributed and/or asymmetric/heterogenous multi-processing environment

- Experience building or working with software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL/HITL) test environments

- Experience developing flight software for launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, or other aerospace systems

- Experience leading or mentoring a team of software engineers

- Familiarity with safety-critical software standards and practices (e.g., DO-178C, NASA software classifications, or similar)

- Familiarity with common digital communication protocols like Ethernet, TCP/IP, RS-422, PCIe and more

- Experience integrating complex mechatronic control systems comprising of multiple actuators, including test equipment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time

- Ability to use a computer to complete assignments

- Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone, and via telepresence

- Ability to pick up to 50lbs

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment

- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations.  As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.
 
National Security Suitability
Depending on the position, Long Wall may require the successful completion of a national security suitability screening in addition to its standard background check. Where required, the screening is conducted by Long Wall’s Facility Security Officer following offer acceptance and may include verification of any current or prior U.S. government security clearances or public trust positions. Information provided during the screening is used solely to determine suitability for the role and is held in confidence by Security. For positions subject to this requirement, any offer of employment is contingent upon a favorable suitability determination.

The compensation range for this role is $115,000 - $250,000
This is the lowest-to-highest compensation range we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.  
In addition to base pay and equity, we offer: 
Heavily employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
Long Wall paid life insurance and LTD coverage
4% 401k match
Student loan repayment assistance program  
Paid parental leave
Family planning assistance program
Long Wall paid financial wellness program
Paid time off for non-exempt employees and flexible vacation policy for exempt employees