Director of Flight Software Engineering

Xona; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona in Burlingame, California seeks a Director of Flight Software Engineering to own the onboard software architecture for the Xona satellite bus and Pulsar constellation. You will lead embedded flight software development, system-level verification & validation, and scalable software processes across hundreds of satellites.

This high-impact leadership role combines real-time embedded systems expertise with constellation-scale operations, software quality focus, and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant STEM field
• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience in embedded, real-time, or high-reliability systems
• 3+ years of people leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience leading software architecture and delivery for complex systems
• Hands-on background with CI/CD, configuration management, and automated testing

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Flight Software team (embedded developers + verification & validation engineers) for the Pulsar constellation
• Define and evolve the flight software architecture, interfaces, and development roadmap with systems, avionics, payload, GNC, and ground teams
• Own end-to-end delivery: requirements decomposition, design, implementation, unit/integration testing, HIL validation, and launch support
• Build a high-performing organization through hiring, coaching, and career development
• Establish software development practices (CM, CI/CD, unit testing, code quality, documentation) at scale
• Drive quality, reliability, and process maturity to reduce risk and cost
• Partner with senior leadership on technology strategy and long-term roadmap

Skills

Embedded systems

Real-time software

Leadership

CI/CD

Software architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM field

Tools

cFS

F'

RTOS

HIL

Job description

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

Overview

As Director of Flight Software Engineering, you will own the architecture, delivery, and team that powers the onboard software for the Xona satellite bus and the growing Pulsar constellation. You will lead embedded flight software development, system-level verification & validation, and the processes that enable reliable, scalable software across hundreds of satellites. This is a high-impact leadership role at the intersection of real-time embedded systems, constellation-scale operations, and high-reliability space software.

What You’ll Own

• Lead and grow the Flight Software team (embedded developers + verification & validation engineers) responsible for the scalable onboard software architecture running across the Pulsar constellation.
• Define and evolve the flight software architecture, interfaces, and development roadmap in close partnership with systems, avionics, payload, GNC, and ground segment teams.
• Own end-to-end delivery: requirements decomposition, design, implementation, unit/integration testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation, and support through launch and on-orbit operations.
• Build a high-performing organization through hiring, coaching, individual development plans, and a culture of ownership, technical excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Establish and continuously improve software development practices (configuration management, CI/CD, unit testing, code quality, documentation) that scale with constellation growth and over-the-air update needs.
• Drive quality, reliability, and process maturity - measuring team output against program commitments and implementing improvements that reduce risk and cost.
• Partner with senior leadership on technology strategy, long-term roadmap recommendations, and resource planning for current and future satellite programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM field (or equivalent practical experience; additional years of relevant experience may substitute for formal education)
• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience, including significant time in embedded, real-time, or high-reliability systems
• 3+ years of people leadership experience managing software engineers or technical leads (hiring, performance management, career development)
• Demonstrated experience leading software architecture and delivery for complex systems (aerospace, automotive, defense, or similar domains preferred)
• Hands-on background with modern software practices, including CI/CD pipelines, configuration management, and automated testing

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years developing or leading embedded/flight software in aerospace or space systems
• Direct experience taking satellite or spacecraft software from early design through launch and on-orbit operations
• Experience architecting or managing software for multi-satellite fleets, including over-the-air updates, fault management, and constellation-scale operations
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), space flight software frameworks (e.g., cFS, F´, or similar), C/C++, and hardware/software integration & test environments
• Track record of building high-reliability processes and cultures in fast-moving hardware/software organizations
• Ability to drive consensus across multi-disciplinary teams and influence technical and program decisions at the senior leadership level

For U.S. Roles:

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles:

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.