Flight Software Engineering Intern

About the Role

York Space Systems is seeking a curious, hands-on Software Engineering Intern to build software that interacts with real spacecraft hardware. This internship focuses on developing, debugging, and testing software for commanding, monitoring, and validating space vehicles. You will work with embedded Linux systems, spacecraft interfaces, automated test infrastructure, hardware-in-the-loop environments, networking, telemetry, and engineer tools.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and test software to support spacecraft flight software, vehicle integration, and automated testing.
• Write Python, C/C++, Bash, or other software that interacts with embedded systems and spacecraft hardware.
• Develop software and interfaces running in embedded Linux environments.
• Build tools to command, monitor, configure, and validate spacecraft subsystems.
• Participate in Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) development and testing.
• Connect software to real hardware interfaces, networks, telemetry streams, and subsystem simulators.
• Troubleshoot problems across software, operating systems, networks, and hardware.
• Debug failures using logs, telemetry, command-line tools, debuggers, and test equipment.
• Develop automated tests to exercise spacecraft functionality and verify expected behavior.
• Support a "test-like-you-fly" philosophy by helping make test environments behave more like the real vehicle.
• Write and execute unit tests and integration tests.
• Participate in technical design discussions and code reviews.
• Work with systems, software, electrical, and test engineers to turn high-level requirements into working solutions.
• Identify technical risks early and help develop practical solutions.
• Use Git, GitLab, CI/CD, and modern software-development workflows.
• Communicate findings, including what worked, what failed, lessons learned, and proposed next steps.
• Willingness to work full-time in Greenwood Village.
• Passion for space.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Experience developing software for embedded systems.
• Experience with C or C++ on Linux.
• Experience with microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, robotics, drones, automotive systems, or similar hardware.
• Experience debugging software that communicates with physical devices.
• Familiarity with serial, Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP, CAN, SPI, I2C, or similar interfaces.
• Experience with multithreading, inter-process communication, or pub/sub messaging.
• Experience with Software-in-the-Loop or Hardware-in-the-Loop testing.
• Experience with automated system-level testing.
• Familiarity with telemetry, command-and-control systems, or distributed systems.
• Experience with GitLab CI/CD or other automated build/test systems.
• Experience with CMake or other C/C++ build systems.
• Familiarity with Docker or containerized development environments.
• Experience with debuggers, packet captures, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, or other debugging tools.
• Experience with spacecraft, aerospace, robotics, or other safety- or mission-critical systems.
• Personal projects demonstrating built hardware interactions (e.g., movement, communication, sensing, control).
• Familiarity with Python or scripting languages.
• Interest in spacecraft, aerospace, or safety-critical systems.
• Experience working in lab or system integration environments.
• Active Secret Clearance.
• Permanent authorization to work in the United States.