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Flight Software

Embedded Software Engineer

Starfish Space logoStarfish Space$100,000–$180,000/yrTukwila, Washington, United StatesFullTimePosted 1w ago
  • US citizenship
  • ITAR / US person

How this pay compares

This posting states $100k–$180k a year. Open software engineer jobs in Washington post a median of $169k a year, the middle half $163k–$198k, across 171 jobs that state their pay, so this one is below the middle half of what they post.

Software engineers in Washington: pay by town and employer

About the job

## About Starfish Space Starfish Space provides satellite servicing missions with its Otter servicing vehicle, including life extension missions for geostationary satellites and disposal missions for low Earth orbit satellites.

Founded in 2019, Starfish has raised over $150M in venture capital funding and built a team of engineers with experience spanning satellite guidance, navigation, control, and autonomous robotics. Starfish has launched several missions to-date, and is focused on delivering Otter satellite servicing missions for SES, the U.S.

Space Force, the Space Development Agency, NASA, and others. ## Position Description Starfish's spacecraft requires high performance software; thus, we are looking for an embedded software engineer who can help us build core software technologies that will be used across a variety of Starfish satellite systems, including relative navigation, robotics, and grappling teams.

This position will build software that controls the key technologies that allow Starfish's satellites to interact with other spacecraft and actuate a variety of proprietary mechanisms.

This is an exciting chance to help build completely novel, new technology that will soon fly in space! ## Qualifications - 3+ years of experience working on embedded software products - Previous experience working with and creating HIL / PIL systems - Experience writing software for a variety of different compute hardware and architectures - Working knowledge of Python and C++ - Must be a US person due to ITAR regulations (citizen, permanent resident, or designated asylee / refugee) - Willing to work from Tukwila, Washington - Capable of working a dynamic, fast paced startup environment - B.S. degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering or similar field ## Preferred Experience - Previous experience in the aerospace industry is a plus, but not required ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S.

Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

From Starfish Space's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Starfish Space

Satellite servicing spacecraft that dock with satellites in orbit.

Pay on its listings: 90% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Starfish Space's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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