Ground Software Engineer

About Exotrail

Space is becoming more strategic and competitive than ever. Tomorrow’s space leaders will not simply launch satellites into orbit, they will be able to move them, reposition them, extend their lifetime, and maximize their performance in space.

Since 2017, Exotrail has been developing and operating cutting-edge in-space mobility solutions for commercial, institutional, and defense customers. From our high-performance propulsion system spaceware™ to our orbital transfer vehicle spacevan™, we enable satellites to go farther, stay operational longer, and achieve more.

Today, more than 200 Exotrailers across Massy and Toulouse are working together to make space operations more efficient and sustainable.

Backed by over €75 million in funding, we are pursuing a clear mission:

Making space a sustainable frontier for future generations.

Job Description

As part of our In-Orbit Services (IoS) division, we are looking for a Ground Software Engineer to design, develop, validate, and integrate software solutions supporting satellite ground segments and operations.

You will contribute to the development and improvement of Flight Dynamics Systems (FDS), Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) applications, and test tools used throughout the entire satellite lifecycle, from development and validation to in-orbit operations.

Software Design & Development

• Design, develop, test, and maintain ground software applications supporting LEO, GEO, rendezvous, and in-orbit servicing missions.

• Develop solutions for satellite monitoring and control, including Flight Dynamics Systems (FDS) and GNC-related applications.

• Implement reliable, scalable, and maintainable software architectures.

• Ensure compliance with project requirements and applicable space industry standards.

Requirements Management & Traceability

• Contribute to the definition and refinement of software requirements alongside system architects and engineers.

• Ensure bidirectional traceability between requirements, implementation, and validation activities.

• Maintain consistency between software deliverables and system needs.

• Support configuration management and software quality processes.

Verification, Validation & Qualification

• Design and execute automated testing campaigns.

• Support software qualification and acceptance activities.

• Integrate and validate software solutions within SWIL and HIL environments.

• Investigate issues, analyze root causes, and implement corrective actions.

Software Architecture & Performance

• Optimize software performance, reliability, and maintainability.

• Design modular and reusable software components.

• Apply software engineering best practices and the KISS principle to reduce complexity.

• Document architecture decisions and ensure long-term maintainability of developed solutions.

Collaboration & Engineering Excellence

• Work closely with System, Avionics, AIT, and GNC teams.

• Participate in technical reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR.

• Produce and maintain software specifications, test reports, user manuals, and developer documentation.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and engineering best practices.

About You

Required Experience

• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience in software development, preferably within aerospace, space, robotics, defense, or other high-reliability industries.

• Strong interest in satellite operations, flight dynamics, guidance, navigation and control, or mission-critical systems.

• Experience working on complex software systems throughout the full development lifecycle.

• Familiarity with software verification, validation, and integration activities.

• Experience in the space industry is a strong plus.

Technical Skills

• Strong programming skills in C/C++.

• Experience with Python for automation, testing, and engineering tools.

• Knowledge of software architecture principles and modular software design.

• Familiarity with RTOS environments, low-level software, and drivers.

• Understanding of software development standards such as DO-178C, ECSS, IEEE, or MISRA.

• Experience with software development and debugging tools.

• Knowledge of software testing methodologies and automation frameworks.<