Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems)

Edinburgh

1 month ago

Applications closed

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TECHNICAL TEAM LEAD (Embedded systems - FLIGHT SOFTWARE

Lead the code that flies in space.
My client is building spacecraft flight software that runs real missions in real orbit - and they're now looking for a Technical Team Lead to guide the engineers writing it.
This is a hands-on leadership role. You won't be "managing from the sidelines."
You'll design systems, review architecture, mentor engineers and still write mission-critical code that leaves Earth.

What you'll lead

You'll own the technical direction, quality and delivery of spacecraft flight software:

Set technical direction and architecture for embedded flight software systems

Lead design reviews, code reviews and software standards

Remain hands-on in C and embedded development

Drive software quality, testing strategies and CI/CD practices

Mentor and grow a team of embedded and flight software engineers

Work closely with hardware, systems and operations teams

Own technical risk, interface definition and system-level decisions

Improve engineering workflows, documentation and development processes
You'll be the technical anchor - the person people turn to when the problem is hard, safety-critical or cross-disciplinary.

What you'll bring

Strong C and embedded systems background Java an added bonus

Experience leading technical design and mentoring engineers

Deep understanding of real-time systems, multitasking and low-level hardware

Confident working with microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M class preferred)

Experience diagnosing and resolving complex system-level faults

Excellent communication skills - you can explain deep technical decisions clearly

Ownership mindset and ability to shape engineering culture

Bonus points if you've worked with

FreeRTOS, RTEMS or other RTOS platforms

Embedded Linux / Yocto / systemd / BusyBox

Python, Java or automation scripting

CI/CD pipelines, Docker, GitLab or DevOps tooling

Spacecraft, robotics, aerospace, automotive or safety-critical environments

Why this role stands out

Your team's code flies in space

You define architecture, standards and technical direction

You still build - this is a technical leadership role, not a people-only role

You shape the engineering culture of a growing space organisation

You'll work on complete spacecraft, not isolated components
This is your chance to lead the engineers who write software that leaves the planet

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