Autonomy Software Engineer – SD - Laurel

We are looking for talented, cross-domain software engineers to join a small, empowered strategic development team focused on rapid prototyping and advanced development across York’s software portfolio. This team operates ahead of program need proving out new capabilities, de-risking emerging technology, and maturing prototypes to the point where they can transition into production programs. Scope spans across York software: Full stack web development, onboard embedded and real-time software, ground and cloud applications and tooling, and autonomy and machine learning.  We are looking for an Autonomy Software Engineer who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of modern technology to advance space vehicle onboard autonomy. Not all skills below are required, we encourage you to apply if you have an interest in learning!      Key Responsibilities  Design and develop embedded flight software in C/C++ for spacecraft systems  Translate designs and requirements into high-quality, maintainable software that meets both functional and visual standards  Build reusable code for components, shared libraries, and scalable services for use across the platform  Construct state machine models for autonomous mission workflows  Engineer algorithms and business logic to promote scalability and automation  Contribute to software architecture, requirements, and interface definitions   Support on-orbit operations, debugging, and anomaly resolution   Develop unit tests and documentation for internal users and customers  Develop integration tests against simulation tools to validate behavior against realistic mission scenarios  Participate in agile ceremonies including sprint planning, standups, and retrospectives  Other duties as assigned    Required Qualifications  Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field  4+ years of software engineering experience with a strong focus on embedded software development  Proficiency in C/C++  Experience working in embedded Linux environments  Experience with modern messaging frameworks and API technologies used in distributed systems  Experience with Git in a collaborative, multi-contributor environment  Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and drive code quality through reviews and design discussions  Proven ability to collaborate across engineering, design, and operational stakeholders  Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguous requirements independently and drive to resolution  Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presenting technical concepts to non-technical audiences  Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment  Active security clearance or ability to obtain one  Willingness to work full-time in our Laurel, MD office; this position does not support remote or hybrid work.   Preferred Qualifications  Experience identifying mission states, mapping rules between states, and proving which states are symmetric or unreachable  Experience with embedded Linux systems (drivers, networking, system-level debugging)  Experience with spacecraft, aerospace, or safety-critical systems  Experience with container-based installation and deployment strategies, including Docker and CI/CD pipeline integration  Experience supporting on-orbit operations or live systems  Familiar with vehicle simulation tools and methodologies, including modeling spacecraft dynamics, guidance and control behaviors, and mission‑specific scenarios