Overview In this role you will own and advance flight software for ETH Zurich space missions, spanning from concept to operations. You will work across systems engineering, avionics, payload, and operations to translate concepts into robust software and test strategies. You will shape architectures, implement robust embedded software, and lead verification activities for resource-constrained spacecraft. This is an international, interdisciplinary environment with a mission to strengthen ETH Zurich’s space ecosystem. Verantwortungsbereiche Own flight software developments and serve as primary software interface across systems engineering, avionics, payload, operations, and external platform providers Translate mission concepts into spacecraft behaviors and define software architectures and functional decompositions Define software requirements and interfaces, and allocate hardware-software functions Develop embedded flight software in C/C++ and supporting tools (e.g., Python); implement telemetry, telecommand handling, data management, fault-management Integrate software with onboard computers, sensors, actuators, payload electronics, and ground systems; set up flat-sat testbeds Conduct software trade studies on processing, memory, timing, bandwidth, autonomy, and fault tolerance Develop real-time, autonomous, and GNC-related software functions as needed Maintain software baselines, versioning, CI, release management, and traceability Create and execute unit, integration, S/W-in-the-loop, PIL, PIL, and system-level verification Support software risk management, anomaly investigation, and technical reviews Assist spacecraft/payload assembly, testing, commissioning, in-flight updates, telemetry analysis, and operations Contribute to technical reviews, mission concepts, proposals, and feasibility studies Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and student teams Zentrale Anforderungen Master’s degree in a related field 5+ years of professional experience in flight/embedded/mission-critical software Strong C/C++ programming for resource-constrained targets RTOS, embedded Linux, or bare-metal development experience Software systems engineering including architecture, requirements, interfaces Ability to translate requirements into software specifications and verification strategies Experience integrating software with avionics hardware, sensors, actuators, and ground systems Knowledge of telemetry/telecommand, onboard data handling, timing, autonomy, fault management, and operations Hands-on software integration, debugging, automated testing, and hardware-in-the-loop environments Configuration management, version control, release processes, baselines, and traceability Analytical, organizational, and communication skills for multidisciplinary teams Knowledge of radiation effects, redundancy, memory protection, watchdogs, and FDIR Excellent English; German is a plus Plus: CubeSats/small satellites flight software; AIT leadership; ECSS/NASA practices; SpaceWire/CAN/UART/SPI/I2C/Ethernet/CCSDS; NASA cFS, F Prime, RTEMS, FreeRTOS, Zephyr; autonomous/robotic software; FPGA/firmware interfaces; EGSE/simulation/ground ops; international collaboration multidisciplinary collaboration strong communication analytical mindset C and C++ embedded development RTOS/embedded Linux/bare-metal software architecture and requirements engineering
Flight Software Systems Engineer for Space Missions Arbeitgeber: ETH Zürich
ETH Zürich ist ein hervorragender Arbeitgeber, der Ihnen die Möglichkeit bietet, aktiv an der Gestaltung der Zukunft des Forschungsdatenmanagements mitzuwirken. Mit einem interdisziplinären Arbeitsumfeld, attraktiven Beschäftigungsbedingungen und zahlreichen Vorteilen wie Kinderbetreuung und öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln fördert ETH Zürich nicht nur Ihre berufliche Entwicklung, sondern auch eine inklusive und nachhaltige Unternehmenskultur. Hier haben Sie die Chance, in einer sichtbaren Position mit hoher Verantwortung zu arbeiten und einen bleibenden Einfluss auf die Forschung zu nehmen.
