From Code to Orbit: A Day in the Life of a Systems & Software Engineer at Reflex Aerospace

What keeps a satellite performing flawlessly after launch? The answer lies in the seamless interaction between software and systems engineering, and people like Anna, one of Reflex Aerospace’s Systems and Software Engineers. In this video, Anna shares what her work looks like day to day, how Reflex fosters innovation, and why flexibility is essential when working in space technology.

Anna works within the Systems Integration and Verification team, the final stage of satellite development. Her role bridges disciplines, bringing together hardware, software, and mission operations. Some days, she’s in the lab in Berlin, running tests on Reflex’s flat sat - a physical model used to test new software features before they’re uploaded to orbit. On others, she’s in the control room, performing manual operations on Reflex’s in-orbit satellite, SIGI. And when it’s a quieter day, she’s writing scripts to optimize ground control tools and automated capabilities that make missions more efficient.

This blend of lab work, coding, and mission operations reflects what makes systems and software engineers vital in the space industry. They ensure every subsystem - power, propulsion, and communications, integrates seamlessly and responds predictably once in orbit. It’s technical, interdisciplinary work that demands curiosity, adaptability, and precision.

Anna also highlights what makes Reflex Aerospace different: “the openness to work together, to collaborate, to share and exchange ideas.” The company’s culture of innovation encourages engineers to experiment, switch gears quickly, and embrace the challenges of space.

For anyone exploring aerospace careers, Anna’s story shows that software and systems engineering in space isn’t just about coding. It’s about connecting every part of a spacecraft so it can operate with intelligence and reliability. At Reflex Aerospace, engineers like Anna are building satellites that think for themselves.