Orbex Group Software Engineer interview questions & guide 2026

To help you prepare effectively, we have analyzed real interview experiences for the Software Engineer position at Orbex Group. While the exact questions you receive will depend on your specific team alignment (such as embedded systems, ground segment, or propulsion control), the interviews consistently focus on practical engineering discussions rather than abstract puzzle-solving.

Embedded & Real-Time Systems

This category evaluates your understanding of low-level programming, resource management, and hardware interaction.

• How do you manage memory allocation in a safety-critical, real-time system where dynamic allocation is prohibited?
• Explain the difference between cooperative and preemptive multitasking in a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).

Preparing for an interview at Orbex Group requires a shift away from standard algorithmic memorization toward deep architectural understanding and practical systems engineering. Interviewers want to see how you think as an engineer, how you handle physical hardware constraints, and how you ensure software reliability.

To stand out, you should focus your preparation on the following key evaluation criteria:

Technical & Domain Expertise – You must demonstrate a deep command of your primary programming languages (typically C, C++, or Python) and a strong grasp of operating system internals, memory management, and hardware-software integration.

Architectural & System Design – You will be evaluated on your ability to design clean, modular, and maintainable software architectures. This includes understanding concurrency, data serialization, API design, and telemetry distribution.

Problem-Solving & Safety Mindset – In aerospace, safety is paramount. You need to show that you instinctively think about edge cases, failure modes, redundancy, and defensive programming practices.

Collaborative Drive – Orbex Group is a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. You must demonstrate that you can communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-software engineers, such as mechanical or propulsion specialists.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Orbex Group is designed to be streamlined, thorough, and highly focused on technical discussion. Candidates generally report a fast-moving pipeline, often progressing from application to final decision within a few weeks, though the exact timeline can vary depending on the location and specific team requirements.

The process typically begins with an initial screening call with a member of the Human Resources department. This conversation focuses on aligning your background, career goals, salary expectations, and understanding of the role's duties. If there is mutual alignment, you will move forward to the technical stages of the process.

The core technical evaluation is highly conversational. Rather than forcing you to complete generic online coding tests, Orbex Group prefers deep, structured discussions about your past projects, architectural decisions, and technical expertise. You will meet with the Software Department Lead, followed by a technical panel that often includes embedded systems and ground segment architects, or specialists from specific engineering teams like propulsion.

The timeline above illustrates the standard progression from your initial HR touchpoint through to the final panel and management discussions. Candidates should use this timeline to pace their preparation, ensuring they are ready to discuss high-level architecture and low-level execution details by the time they reach the technical panel stage.

To succeed at Orbex Group, you must perform exceptionally well across several core engineering areas. The interview panel will evaluate your depth of knowledge in these domains to ensure you can contribute immediately to their flight and ground software stacks.

Embedded Software & Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

For roles close to the hardware, you must demonstrate a mastery of embedded systems development. The interviewers will want to know how you write deterministic code that interacts directly with physical sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers.

Be ready to go over:

• Memory Management – Techniques for avoiding fragmentation, static allocation strategies, and memory-mapped I/O.
• Interrupt Handling – Writing efficient Interrupt Service Routines (ISRs) and managing deferred interrupt processing.
• Concurrency & Synchronization – Safe usage of mutexes, semaphores, queues, and avoiding priority inversion.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Direct Memory Access (DMA) configurations, custom bootloader design, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing frameworks.

Example scenarios:

• "Describe how you would debug a system that randomly hangs due to a stack overflow in an RTOS task."
• "How would you design a driver for a new sensor communicating over SPI, ensuring it does not block other critical flight tasks?"

Ground Segment & Telemetry Architecture

If your focus is on ground systems, the evaluation will shift toward high-throughput data processing, system reliability, and network communication.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Serialization – Efficient protocols for packing and unpacking telemetry data (e.g., Protocol Buffers, FlatBuffers, or custom binary formats).
• Network Programming – UDP vs. TCP trade-offs in high-reliability, variable-latency environments.
• System Monitoring & Logging – Designing robust logging systems that allow rapid post-flight analysis without impacting real-time performance.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Time synchronization protocols (like PTP or NTP) across distributed ground systems.

Example scenarios:

• "How would you architect a system to store and stream 10,000 telemetry parameters per second to multiple client applications on the ground?"
• "Design a failover mechanism for a ground control station to ensure continuous communication with the launch vehicle during a critical flight phase."

As a Software Engineer at Orbex Group, your daily work will sit at the intersection of cutting-edge software development and physical aerospace engineering. Your responsibilities will typically include:

• Developing Flight & Ground Software – Writing clean, highly reliable, and well-tested code in C, C++, or Python for onboard flight computers, ground control systems, or test benches.
• Hardware Integration & Testing – Working directly with physical hardware, integrating your software with microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators, and conducting extensive hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partnering closely with GNC, propulsion, electrical, and mechanical teams to define software requirements, communication protocols, and system interfaces.
• Ensuring Mission Safety – Participating in rigorous code reviews, writing comprehensive unit and integration tests, and conducting failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) to ensure software safety.
• Supporting Launch Operations – Developing tools and systems used by mission operators, and potentially supporting real-time testing and launch operations directly.

To be highly competitive for a Software Engineer position at Orbex Group, you should possess a strong blend of technical capability, domain experience, and collaborative skills.

• Technical Skills

  • Must-have skills – Strong proficiency in C or C++ for embedded systems, or Python for ground systems, scripting, and testing; solid understanding of Linux operating systems; experience with version control (Git).
  • Nice-to-have skills – Experience with RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or VxWorks); familiarity with aerospace communication standards (such as CAN, Ethernet, or space-specific protocols); experience with Rust or modern C++ standards.

• Experience & Background

  • Professional Experience – Typically 3+ years of experience in a software engineering role, preferably in aerospace, automotive, robotics, defense, or another high-reliability, safety-critical industry.
  • Academic Background – A degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

• Soft Skills

  • Clear Communication – The ability to explain complex software concepts to hardware engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Adaptability – A proactive attitude and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving startup-like aerospace environment.

Q: How difficult is the Software Engineer interview at Orbex Group? A: Candidates generally describe the interview as average in difficulty. Rather than testing you on abstract competitive programming puzzles, the team focuses on practical, real-world engineering scenarios, system architecture, and your actual hands-on experience.

Q: What is the typical timeline for the hiring process? A: The process can be highly streamlined, with some candidates receiving callbacks within two days and completing the entire process in a week. However, depending on the role, location, and scheduling, it can occasionally take longer. The team is known for providing quick feedback after each interview stage.

Q: Where are the software engineering teams located? A: Orbex Group is headquartered in Forres, Scotland, which is where much of the engineering and manufacturing takes place. They also have offices and test facilities in other European locations. Be sure to clarify the hybrid or relocation expectations for your specific role early in the process.

Q: What makes a candidate stand out during the technical panel? A: Successful candidates demonstrate a strong system-level understanding. They don't just write code; they understand how that code interacts with the underlying operating system, the hardware, and the physical environment of a rocket. Showing a deep appreciation for testing, safety, and reliability is key.

To maximize your chances of success during the Orbex Group interview process, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Focus on the "Why" behind your decisions: When describing past projects, don't just explain what you built. Explain why you chose a specific language, architecture, or protocol, and what trade-offs you considered.
• Emphasize safety and reliability: Whether you are writing flight software or ground tools, always highlight how you test your code, handle errors, and design for failure recovery.
• Prepare to discuss hardware-software boundaries: Be ready to talk about how your software interacts with physical systems. If you have experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or HIL setups, make sure to mention it.

• Show enthusiasm for the mission: Orbex Group is a team of highly motivated space enthusiasts. Demonstrating a genuine interest in their launch vehicle, sustainable spaceflight, and the future of the European space industry can set you apart from other technically qualified candidates.

A Software Engineer role at Orbex Group offers an extraordinary opportunity to write code that actually leaves the planet. Whether you are controlling rocket engines, processing high-speed telemetry, or building mission control interfaces, your work will have a tangible, physical impact on the future of space exploration.

To prepare effectively, focus your energy on solidifying your systems programming knowledge, reviewing your past architectural decisions, and practicing how to explain complex technical concepts clearly. Lean into your practical engineering experiences, and be ready to discuss how you build reliable, safe, and maintainable software. You can explore additional community-contributed interview experiences and preparation resources on Dataford to further refine your approach.

The salary data reflects the competitive compensation packages offered by Orbex Group to attract top-tier engineering talent to the aerospace sector. When evaluating your offer, consider the complete package, including relocation assistance to beautiful Scotland, health benefits, and the unique opportunity to work on flight-heritage systems. Good luck with your preparation—your journey to the launchpad starts here!