Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Intuitive Machines - West develops spacecraft and space systems, and is seeking an experienced Software Development Engineer to join its San Jose, California or U.S. remote team. The role designs, implements, and integrates spacecraft simulators using distributed simulation architectures, NASA's HLA framework, and multi-simulator environments while supporting testing, legacy code enhancement, and cross-functional technical collaboration.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement models of spacecraft components and/or subsystems for all-software spacecraft simulators using HLA-compliant architectures
- Read and interpret hardware specifications, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and technical documentation to translate requirements into accurate software models
- Maintain, enhance, and extend legacy simulation codebases while preserving system functionality and architecture
- Develop and maintain federate implementations that interface with NASA HLA Runtime Infrastructure (RTI) for distributed simulation environments
- Integrate spacecraft simulators into complex simulation ecosystems requiring tight synchronization with multiple external simulators and orchestration systems over TCP/IP networks
- Design and implement time management, data distribution, and ownership management strategies within HLA federations
- Adhere to current satellite and software industry best practices, including simulation interoperability standards (HLA, DIS)
- Deploy code through existing Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and develop unit, integration, and system-level tests for automated testing frameworks
- Collaborate with team members to find solutions to design challenges and evaluate technical trade-offs in distributed simulation architectures
- Communicate cross-functionally with software and systems engineers to ensure coherent system design across federated simulation components
- Participate in customer-facing design reviews and other technical discussions
Skills
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Aerospace Engineering, or related disciplines
- Four additional years of experience may be substituted for a degree
- A master's degree may be considered as 2 years of professional experience
- 5+ years of professional scientific programming, preferably in simulation of spacecraft or other complex systems
- 2+ years of hands-on experience with NASA HLA framework (IEEE 1516 standard) including RTI integration and federate development
- Demonstrated experience integrating simulators into multi-federate simulation environments with tight timing synchronization requirements
- Proven ability to read and understand technical documentation (hardware specifications, ICDs, datasheets) and translate into functional code
- Strong experience working with legacy codebases, including code comprehension, refactoring, and incremental enhancement
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins, GitHub Actions)
- Proficiency with Linux
- Proficiency with software compilers and other software development tools
- Developing software in C++ or Python (C++ strongly preferred for HLA applications)
- TCP/IP network programming for real-time simulation data exchange
- Debugging and troubleshooting complex distributed systems
- Writing unit tests, integration tests, and system-level tests
- Software development life cycle
- Agile methodologies
- Experience with cybersecurity practices for applications in classified facilities, including secure coding practices, NIST cybersecurity framework, and handling of CUI/classified data
- Experience with multiple HLA RTI implementations (e.g., Pitch RTI, MAK RTI, Portico)
- Knowledge of simulation orchestration and scenario management tools
- Experience reverse-engineering or documenting undocumented legacy code
- Familiarity with spacecraft hardware interfaces and protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553)
- Experience with test frameworks (Google Test, pytest, CTest)
- Experience with distributed simulation middleware (DDS, ZeroMQ, etc.)
- Experience with low-level TCP/IP programming and socket-level communications
- Understanding of Real-time Operating Systems (RTOS) concepts and real-time software constraints
- Experience with timing synchronization protocols (NTP, PTP/IEEE 1588)
- Knowledge of simulation standards (HLA, DIS, TENA)
- Familiarity with spacecraft command and telemetry protocols (CCSDS, Space Packet Protocol)
- Experience with version control systems (Git) for managing large legacy codebases
- Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes) for distributed simulations
- Ability to learn quickly and multi-task in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
- Passion to work on space applications
- Experience in spacecraft operations, design, or testing
Benefits
- Option to work from a U.S. remote location
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