How to become a software developer for satellites and other mission-critical tasks?

Question

I was wondering ... There are people who record material on Mars, satellite control systems, nuclear facilities. What training did they do? What is their career path?

Answer 1

I have a friend who, after finishing his bachelor's degree in optical engineering, went to work in Perkin-Elmer, grinding, by the way, the Hubber mirror. In his free time, he wrote software for calculating the trajectories of earth shells and teaching himself orbital mechanics. His interest and achievements impressed people at NASA so much that they hired him and his career, including managing software development for a space shuttle simulator and acting as a mission specialist on password missions.

I had discussions with people working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and they say that in order to work there, you find someone who is already doing, and then calls them every week for at least two years, and that’s may lead to an interview. In other words, be interesting and persistent.

Answer 2

Counter Question - Are you talking about R&D or production code?

All of the above answers apply to R&D groups developing new ideas to improve existing inventions or to provide new scientific adventures that were not previously possible - in those cases I agree.

But there are still many people who write code that actually deploys with the hardware. As with any major effort, you don’t want dreamy dreamers to come up with a radical decision to be guys who really realize what can risk a person’s life. These are two different tricks and two different careers.

I agree with the academic research approaches you talk about R&D groups.

But if you want to write production code, check out the quality control and quality control procedures. All mentioned areas include development contracts with the government, which will require the highest degree of due diligence and care, because they cost a lot of money, they can risk at least a few human lives, and in the case of a nuclear facility, they can destroy entire groups population. You want to make sure that the code has passed many reviews and testing!

To get into the development team, learn some of the high-level development processes and methods - CMMI, Six Sigma. Learn as much as you can about testing and life cycles. Work in an internship close to this area, especially if the internship grants you permission — most of the work you mentioned may require defense permits, and that’s a huge leg if you graduate from college with clearance in hand.

Answer 3

There are dozens, or perhaps dozens of different types of jobs. Some do more physics, simulations, GUIs, controls, etc. Is this the question "How do I start a career?" or "I'm curious who these people are?"

Answer 4

These types of fields require education (possibly at least masters) in physics and mathematics, where programming is a secondary skill.

Answer 5

A typical path probably looks like this:

• Get a student job at a university research lab
  • Learn from "old" graduate students and staff.
• Get hired as a temporary employee at a designated research lab
  • Teach "new" graduate students
• Do something good to get noticed.
• Establish contacts with people in the providing agency
• Get hired by a contractor or one of their contractors