Satellite Software Architect

pWe are a Belgian engineering consulting firm that assists SMEs and large industrial organizations in bringing their innovation and RD initiatives to life. /p h3Job Description /h3 pWe are seeking a talented and motivated Satellite Software Architect to 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 with the company 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 h3Key Activities /h3 ul liDefine 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. /li liEstablish software design standards, interface control conventions, and reusable architectural building blocks across units and missions. /li liWork 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. /li liCollaborate with system and avionics engineers to derive software requirements from mission-level and satellite-level specifications and ensure full requirements traceability. /li liDrive architectural trade-off studies (e.g. on-board processing vs. downlink, redundancy and fault management, resource budgeting) balancing performance, reliability, and development effort. /li liDrive architectural design reviews (PDR, CDR) and act as a technical reference point for internal and external stakeholders. /li liSupport satellite integration, verification validation, and satellite operations on software-related topics. /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 the company'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 h3Profile / Requirements /h3 h3Must have /h3 ul liMSc or PhD degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. /li liStrong experience in embedded software development, with solid proficiency in C and Python. /li liDemonstrated experience designing software architectures for complex, multi-component embedded systems. /li liExperience with real-time operating systems (preferably FreeRTOS) and Linux-based embedded environments. /li liAbility to lead technical discussions, structure trade-offs clearly, and communicate architectural decisions to multidisciplinary teams. /li liComfortable working cross-functionally with operations, Verification Validation, and other engineering, and translating operational feedback into architectural and roadmap decisions. /li liAbility to work across the hardware/software boundary. /li liDemonstrated ability to work across teams to drive designs to completion with a high degree of autonomy. /li liGood communication skills and fluency in English. /li /ul h3Nice To Have /h3 ul liExperience in the space sector (satellite subsystems, satellite operations, flight software development). /li liExperience with ECSS/CCSDS standards (e.g. ECSS-E-ST-70-41A/C Telemetry and telecommand packet utilization, CCSDS 133.0-B-1 Space Packet Protocol). /li liFamiliarity with Buildroot, U-Boot, Zynq, CMake, and space-grade communication links (CAN, I2C, SPI, UART, SpaceWire, etc.). /li liExperience defining or maintaining software interf