Senior Space On-Board Software Engineer

About the role

A Senior Space On-Board Software Engineer position is open within Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe (Madrid). The selected candidate joins the Space Software Engineering Team, which develops software for advanced satellite missions. In the short term, the engineer contributes to the most advanced satellite developed in Spain, where Airbus Madrid builds both the platform and the radar instrument, and takes part in the latest software releases for the LSTM mission, the first Copernicus satellite built in Madrid.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as direct report and technical contact for the program and customer as software architect.
• Design and develop software unit management functions within the Astrobus NEO infrastructure.
• Generate software technical and management documentation on time, with full traceability against requirements.
• Write technical specifications, perform detailed design, code, run unit and integration tests, and define interfaces for parallel module development.
• Write test plans, run validation tests and deliver software modules for final system integration.
• Provide support for Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) for all software units.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Telecommunications or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a software engineer in the space domain.
• Advanced English (B2/C1) and Spanish (C2/native), written and spoken.
• Effective communication, problem-solving and analytical skills, and adaptability.
• Nice to have: prior experience in ESA projects and a Master's or Ph.D. in Software Architecture, Distributed Systems or AI.

Required skills

• Deep knowledge of SW ECSS standards and requirements management.
• C programming plus Java, Python or TypeScript/Node.js.
• Proficiency with DOORS, Eclipse and Jenkins.
• Spacecraft unit behavior and space data management interfaces (ideally RangeDB).

What we offer

• Permanent position with an attractive salary.
• Vacation days plus additional days off during the year.
• Hybrid working model where possible, collective transport service at some sites.
• Health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan or study grants, and on-site facilities such as a canteen, kindergarten and medical office.
• Upskilling opportunities and development prospects in a multicultural environment.