Head of Software Engineering

InnoForge; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

InnoForge in Los Angeles is seeking a Head of Flight Software to own the software that runs our spacecraft. You will direct architecture, requirements, integration, and flight qualification while remaining hands-on with design and code.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in embedded/real-time software, strong C/C++, and experience with RTOS or embedded Linux. This senior role offers substantial ownership in a compact, ambitious SpaceTech team onsite in the LA area.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with embedded or real-time software in mission-critical environments.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for flight software.
• Experience with real-time operating systems and hardware integration.

Responsibilities

• Own the flight software architecture and technical direction.
• Lead development of spacecraft control, autonomy, telemetry, and fault management.
• Define software requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies.
• Coordinate with GNC, Electrical, Systems, Test, Mission Engineering.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS

Embedded Linux

Real-time systems

Job description

Head of Flight Software | Los Angeles | SpaceTech

We're working with a well-funded space technology company developing a new generation of spacecraft systems for complex commercial and national security missions.

They're looking for a Head of Flight Software to take technical ownership of the software behind their spacecraft, from early architecture and requirements through integration, qualification and ultimately flight.

You'll lead the technical direction of the flight software team, but remain hands-on with the architecture, code, integration and testing as the company moves quickly towards flight.

What you'll be doing

• Own the overall flight software architecture and technical direction
• Lead development across spacecraft control, autonomy, communications, telemetry, command and fault management
• Develop reliable, deterministic and fault-tolerant embedded software
• Define software requirements, interfaces and verification strategies
• Work closely with GNC, Electrical, Systems, Test and Mission Engineering
• Lead code reviews, integration, testing and qualification
• Support simulation, software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop testing

You'll likely have 5+ years working with embedded or real-time software, ideally within spacecraft, launch vehicles, aerospace, robotics or another mission-critical environment.

Experience:

• Strong C/C++
• RTOS, bare-metal or embedded Linux
• Real-time and deterministic software
• Embedded hardware integration
• Full software development lifecycle

The key is having owned complex embedded software, not just contributed to one small part of a larger system.

This is a senior technical role in a small, ambitious engineering environment. You'll have plenty of ownership, influence over how the team develops and the opportunity to build software that ultimately flies.

The role is onsite in the Los Angeles area, and candidates will need to meet relevant US export-control requirements and be eligible to obtain a US security clearance.