Satellite Software Architect

ph3About Aerospacelab /h3 pOur mission is supported by an ambitious vertically integrated approach: design manufacture of small satellites combined with development of earth observation services. /p pSince its creation in 2018, the company has already grown substantially. Our team gathers more than 25 engineering expertise, from hardware design to software development data science. /p pIn 2026, Aerospacelab counts offices in Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), Toulouse (France), Lausanne (Switzerland) and US West Coast with more than 350 full-time employees, with the ambition to position itself as the European leader in small satellites. /p h3Role Overview /h3 pContemporary satellites are commonly constructed in a modular fashion, divided into distinct units, each dedicated to a specific function. In adopting a vertical integration approach, Aerospacelab, as a satellite manufacturer, designs a variety of these units, including the embedded software running on them. /p pAs we continue to expand our team, we are seeking a talented and motivatedbSatellite Software Architect /bto define and own the software architecture across our satellite platforms,from the flight software running on the on-board computer down to the unit-level firmware running in our radios, cameras, optical transceivers, network switches, and other sensors and actuators. /p pAs Satellite Software Architect, you will be the technical authority bridging the individual unit development teams — working closely with our Embedded Software Engineers, EE and FPGA engineers — and the satellite-level system architecture. You will define how software components, interfaces, and data flows come together across units into a coherent, reusable, and maintainable satellite software architecture, while making sure local design choices stay consistent with platform-wide standards. /p pBeyond unit and platform software design, you will interact with satellite operators, AOCS, and Verification Validation teams to push forward satellite automation, and you will define the satellite flight software development roadmap in line withthecompany roadmap. Because our satellites are already flying, a key part of the role is closing the loop: feeding lessons learnt from in-orbit operations back into the architecture and the roadmap. /p pYou will be involved across the full satellite development cycle, from architecture definition and design trade-offs, through implementation support and code reviews, to integration, validation, and in-orbit operations support. /p pAt Aerospacelab, our motto is work hard, play hard. We strive to innovate, in a fun and inclusive work environment. We work in short cycles — no waiting for years before seeing code go live and get valuable feedback. Expect an exciting job, where you will learn constantly and contribute to building state-of-the-art software architectures that will rapidly make their proof in orbit. /p h3Key Activities /h3 ul lipDefine and own the end-to-end satellite software architecture,spanning the flight software running on the on-board computer and the unit-level embedded software running in the units, across the platform family. /p /li lipEstablish software design standards, interface control conventions, and reusable architectural building blocks across units and missions. /p /li lipWork closely with Embedded Software Engineers, EE, and FPGA engineers to translate system-level requirements into sound software designs, and support them through implementation and code/design reviews. /p /li lipCollaborate with system and avionics engineers to derive software requirements from mission-level and satellite-level specifications and ensure full requirements traceability. /p /li lipDrive architectural trade-off studies (e.g. on-board processing vs. downlink, redundancy and fault management, resource budgeting) balancing performance, reliability, and development effort. /p /li lipDrive architectural design reviews (PDR, CDR) and act as a technical reference point for internal and external stakeholders. /p /li lipSupport satellite integration, verification validation, and satelliteoperationson software-related topics. /p /li liPartner with satellite operators, AOCS, and VV teams to identify and implement opportunities for greater satellite automation (on-board autonomy, automated operations, reduced ground intervention). /li liOwn and maintain the satellite flight software development roadmap, aligning priorities across missions with Aerospacelab's strategic goals. /li liCapture and integrate lessons learnt from flying satellites into the software architecture, design standards, and roadmap, closing the loop between in-orbit experience and future developments. /li /ul h3Must have /h3 ul liMSc or PhD degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. /li lipStrong experience in embedded software development, with solidproficiencyinC and Python. /p /li lipDemonstrated experience designing soft