Ground Software Manager, Launch Vehicles

Firefly Aerospace Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous health, dental, and vision plans

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace Inc. in Austin, Texas, is looking for a Ground Software Manager for Launch Vehicles to lead the software systems that enable launch operations. This role involves staffing, architecture decisions, and overseeing development of critical command-and-control systems.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in aerospace software, with strong leadership skills. Benefits include health plans, parental leave, and educational reimbursement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in mission-critical software development.
• 5+ years of experience in leading engineering teams.
• Experience with command-and-control software systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Launch Vehicle Ground Software team.
• Establish technical vision for ground systems.
• Oversee software development across environments.

Skills

Software development for high-reliability systems

Team leadership and management

Distributed software architectures

Real-time telemetry systems

Integration of software with hardware

Communication skills

Experience with LabVIEW or Python

Cloud infrastructure experience (AWS)

Cybersecurity knowledge

Experience with launch operations

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Advanced degree in relevant field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Firefly Aerospace - Ground Software Manager, Launch Vehicles

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24‑hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing.

SUMMARY

As the Launch Vehicles Ground Software Manager at Firefly Aerospace, you will lead the team responsible for designing, developing, deploying, and operating the software systems that enable Firefly’s launch vehicles test and launch operations. You will manage the engineers who build mission‑critical ground software used to command, monitor, and automate launch vehicle processing, engine testing, integrated vehicle testing, countdown, and launch.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Launch Vehicle Ground Software team supporting engine testing, vehicle integration, launch site operations, countdown, launch, and post‑launch activities.
• Own all aspects of team staffing including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, career development, and performance management.
• Establish technical vision and software architecture for Firefly’s launch vehicle ground systems.
• Guide development of service‑oriented and distributed software architectures supporting mission‑critical operations.
• Oversee execution across software requirements, architecture, implementation, verification, validation, deployment, and operational support.
• Coordinate software development supporting launch pads, test stands, hardware‑in‑the‑loop environments, and integrated vehicle testing.
• Partner with systems engineering to define operational concepts, software requirements, interfaces, verification strategies, and system architectures.
• Ensure software systems provide reliable command, control, telemetry processing, automation, visualization, and health monitoring for launch vehicle operations.
• Drive software deployment strategies across development, integration, test, and production operational environments.
• Establish and maintain software engineering processes including architecture reviews, design reviews, configuration management, release management, verification, and operational readiness.
• Travel to and support launch campaigns, major test events, anomaly investigations, mission rehearsals, and real‑time launch operations.
• Manage team staffing plans, technical roadmaps, and long‑term capability investments.
• Foster a culture focused on engineering excellence, operational reliability, safety, continuous improvement, and collaboration.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience developing or delivering software for mission‑critical, industrial control, aerospace, defense, robotics, launch vehicle, spacecraft, or other high‑reliability systems.
• 5+ years of experience leading technical engineering teams with direct management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex command‑and‑control software systems supporting hardware integration and operational environments.
• Strong understanding of distributed software architectures, service‑oriented systems, and modern software deployment models.
• Experience working with real‑time telemetry, command, automation, or control systems.
• Experience integrating software with physical hardware including sensors, actuators, instrumentation, communications equipment, or RF systems.
• Familiarity with LabVIEW, Python, or similar engineering software environments.
• Demonstrated systems engineering experience translating operational needs into software architectures and technical execution plans.
• Experience managing software development throughout the full system lifecycle including requirements, architecture, verification, validation, deployment, and operations.
• Proven experience recruiting, mentoring, and developing engineering talent.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts across engineering disciplines, customers, and executive leadership.
• Experience with launch vehicle, spacecraft, missile, aviation, or other aerospace ground systems.
• Experience developing or managing software used for launch operations, mission operations, or large‑scale industrial control systems.
• Familiarity with service‑oriented architectures, microservices, containerization, and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience applying model‑based or specification‑driven engineering approaches, including the use of AI to translate system requirements into software artifacts, test cases, and implementation guidance.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure including AWS.
• Experience with high‑volume telemetry systems, messaging architectures, or time‑series databases.
• Experience with networking, cybersecurity, identity management, and secure deployment of operational systems.
• Experience supporting operational readiness reviews, launch campaigns, or real‑time engineering support.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
• Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one.

Benefits

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for employees, including generous health, dental, and vision plans with low deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short‑term disability, and flexible PTO options.

Legal Notice

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.