Flight Software Architect

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

We are looking for a Flight Software Architect to support the development of next-generation space systems and missions.

This role offers the opportunity to play a key technical leadership role, shaping the architecture and development of flight software for advanced spacecraft and space platforms.

• Location: London
• On Site: 1-2x a month
• Clearance: Clearable 
• Experience Level: Mid Level

Key Responsibilities:

• Defining and owning the flight software architecture for complex space systems.
• Translating mission and system requirements into software architecture solutions.
• Establishing software design principles, standards, and development strategies.
• Managing interfaces between software, hardware, avionics, GNC, and systems engineering teams.
• Supporting software requirement definition, decomposition, and traceability activities.
• Leading architectural trade studies and technical decision-making.
• Supporting software verification, validation, integration, and qualification activities.
• Contributing to technical reviews and programme milestones.
• Identifying and mitigating software-related technical risks.

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Proven experience within the Space industry (essential).
• Significant experience in embedded software, flight software, or onboard software development for spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, or other space systems.
• Experience defining and maintaining software architectures for safety-critical or mission-critical systems.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles, software engineering principles, and architecture frameworks.
• Experience working with real-time and embedded systems.
• Knowledge of software verification, validation, and testing methodologies.
• Experience managing complex software interfaces across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with flight computers, onboard data handling systems, or spacecraft avionics.
• Familiarity with ECSS software standards and space industry best practices.
• Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) and middleware architectures.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approaches.
• Understanding of fault management, redundancy concepts, and software resilience techniques.
• Experience supporting software integration, spacecraft testing, and operational readiness activities.
• Familiarity with communication protocols commonly used in space systems.
• Experience participating in major design reviews including PDR, CDR, and qualification reviews.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and technical leadership skills.

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

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