Head of Flight Software
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_onEast El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California, 90245, United States
Opportunity Summary
Join an early-stage space company developing advanced spacecraft and in-space mobility systems designed for complex orbital and national security missions. This role will lead the flight software function across vehicle development, owning the architecture, execution, integration, and long-term direction of embedded and real-time software systems supporting spacecraft operations.
Working closely with the founding team and cross-functional engineering leadership, you will oversee the development of core flight software infrastructure spanning avionics integration, mission management, telemetry, communications, health monitoring, and fault management. This is a highly hands-on leadership role for someone capable of driving technical direction while remaining deeply involved in implementation, testing, and system-level integration.
About Us
We are a venture-backed aerospace startup focused on building advanced spacecraft platforms and propulsion technologies for demanding commercial and defense applications. The company is led by engineers and operators with deep experience across launch, spacecraft, and advanced hardware development. The team operates with a strong emphasis on speed, technical ownership, and iterative hardware execution.
Why Join Us
As Head of Flight Software, you will have the opportunity to lead a critical engineering function at an early-stage aerospace company with direct ownership over spacecraft flight software architecture and execution. You will work in a highly collaborative environment with experienced aerospace founders and technical leadership, shaping the technical direction, team structure, and long-term software strategy.
This role offers exposure to full vehicle development, testing, and mission operations, alongside equity participation and significant long-term growth opportunity.
Location
Los Angeles, CA (On-site)
Work location
Work model: On-site
East El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California, 90245, United States
El Segundo, California
Key Responsibilities
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Skills, education and keywords
Skills: C/C++, Python, Embedded Software, Real-Time Operating Environments, Avionics, Microcontrollers, Ethernet, Udp, Multicast, Rust.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field required.
Frequently asked questions about Head of Flight Software at Approach Venture
What does a Head of Flight Software at Approach Venture do?expand_more
A Head of Flight Software at Approach Venture is responsible for the following: Lead architecture, development, and execution of flight software systems across vehicle programs; Own the full flight software lifecycle including design, testing, validation, deployment, and operational support; Drive software integration efforts across avionics, RF systems, propulsion interfaces, and onboard computing hardware; and Lead development of software frameworks, state machines, communication layers, and operational logic.
What are the requirements for this Head of Flight Software role?expand_more
Approach Venture is looking for candidates who meet the following requirements: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field; 5+ years of professional software development experience; Strong programming experience with C/C++ and Python; Experience developing embedded software for aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, or safety-critical applications; and Experience working directly with avionics hardware, microcontrollers, and integrated vehicle systems.