Job Summary
LASP is looking for a Flight Software Simulation Engineer to join
the spacecraft simulator team for a deep space mission that will
tour the inner solar system and explore the main asteroid belt
between Mars and Jupiter. Launch is expected in early 2028.
You will develop behavioral hardware models and build the
software-only and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments that
the flight software, command and data handling, fault protection,
assembly/integration and test (AIT), and mission operations teams
rely on to validate spacecraft behavior.
This is a hands-on role that spans the full simulator stack:
embedded and Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) driver work, the
behavioral models themselves, and the infrastructure and pipelines
that deliver them. You will write C++ models and Python
orchestration at your desk, then deploy and test against EGSE
hardware in the lab. You will also help grow the institution’s
simulation capability over time.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
Who We Are
LASP combines the agility of a university laboratory with the
technical capability of a premier space mission organization.
Engineers work directly alongside scientists, students, and mission
operators, allowing technical decisions to move quickly while
maintaining scientific excellence.
As part of the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), LASP began in
1948 and is a world-recognized space science research institute
that implements the full life cycle of science missions from the
definition of the science questions through the development of
space flight hardware and the subsequent mission operations. We are
the only research institute in the world to have sent science
instruments to all eight planets, Pluto, and beyond the solar
system.
LASP combines all aspects of space exploration through our
expertise in science, engineering, mission operations, and
scientific data analysis. As part of CU, LASP also works to educate
and train the next generation of space scientists, engineers and
mission operators by integrating undergraduate and graduate
students into working teams. Our students take their unique
experiences with them into government or industry or remain in
academia to continue the cycle of exploration.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Work with subsystem leads and system engineers to develop
simulation requirements and architecture
Develop and maintain behavioral hardware models for spacecraft
subsystem simulators
Build and support software-only and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)
simulator environments
Implement, verify, and validate simulation products, including
test procedures for requirement V&V and unit/integration
tests
Integrate simulation environments with command-and-telemetry
and test data systems
Deploy, configure, and test embedded/EGSE systems
Build and maintain containerized simulator environments,
delivering artifacts through CI/CD pipelines
Support functional, performance, and mission-scenario testing
for partner teams
Coordinate a small team of engineers and take part in peer and
programmatic reviews
Other duties as assigned
What You Should Know
- Programs will require compliance with export control
restrictions, including EAR and ITAR.
- Onsite presence is required because of the hands-on laboratory
work necessary.
- Due to requirements governing access to export-controlled data
and information, only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
(green card holders) may apply.
What We Can Offer
$74,000-$98,000.
Benefits
At the
University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive
benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through
the
CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Bachelor's degree in a physical science, engineering, a related
field.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and handle competing priorities
What You Will Need
- Mastery of software architecture and organization
- C and C++ development proficiency
- Scripting in Python and bash
- Fluent in Linux as a primary working environment
- Comfortable taking responsibility for the systems you deploy
(standing them up and configuring them sensibly to get work
done)
- Developing multi-threaded applications
- Solid grasp of inter-process communication and message-passing
frameworks (e.g., ZMQ, RabbitMQ)
- Engineering fundamentals sufficient to reason about and model
spacecraft subsystem behavior
- Proficient understanding of digital electronics
- Comfort working in a hands-on laboratory environment around
electrostatic sensitive devices
- Demonstrated proficiency in electronics laboratory practices,
including setup, operation, and troubleshooting using
oscilloscopes, power supplies, digital multimeters, data
acquisition systems, and electronic assembly and rework
equipment.
- Containerization tooling (Docker, Podman)
- CI/CD pipelines for delivering simulator artifacts
What We Would Like You to Have
- Spacecraft subsystem knowledge, with familiarity across
systems, electrical, software, I&T, and operations
- Experience with environmental testing for space-flight
systems
- Experience across Flight Software and Integration & Test
program phases
- Simulation knowledge
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- Resume or CV.
- Cover Letter.
(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: If you are selected as the
finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus
Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor.
However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States,
please submit an English-translated version as an Optional
document.
Please apply by 8/26/2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For
consideration, applications must be submitted through
CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in
any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying
information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school
attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting
or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu
