Senior Director, Satellite Flight Software

Xona-Space-Systems; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona-Space-Systems is seeking a Director of Flight Software Engineering to own the onboard software for the Xona satellite bus and the Pulsar constellation. You will lead embedded flight software development, verification & validation, and the processes enabling reliable, scalable software across hundreds of satellites.

You will partner with systems, avionics, payload, GNC, and ground teams to define architecture, drive end-to-end delivery, and build a high-performance org with a culture of

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience, including 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
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM field (or equivalent practical experience)

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

People leadership

Embedded software

Software architecture

CI/CD pipelines

Unit testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/CE/EE/Aerospace or related STEM

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

C/C++

RTOS

cFS

F' / FPrime

Job description

Xona-Space-Systems is seeking a Director of Flight Software Engineering to own the onboard software for the Xona satellite bus and the Pulsar constellation. You will lead embedded flight software development, verification & validation, and the processes enabling reliable, scalable software across hundreds of satellites.

You will partner with systems, avionics, payload, GNC, and ground teams to define architecture, drive end-to-end delivery, and build a high-performance org with a culture of