Senior Software Engineering Department Manager

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); On-site; USD 214,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

LASP at the University of Colorado Boulder seeks a Senior Software Engineering Department Manager to lead a 63-person software organization delivering flight and ground software for space missions and science instruments. You will set technical direction, own software processes, and report to the Deputy Director for Technology.

This role requires onsite presence in Boulder, CO, 3–5 days per week, and offers relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of software engineering experience, including 6+ on space mission embedded flight software or ground software.
• 5+ years supervising software engineers, including hiring, evaluating, and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the LASP Software Engineering Department through its functional leads; develop them as technical and people managers.
• Establish department-wide performance expectations and manage outcomes; build a positive, productive, and healthy department culture.
• Set technical direction for flight software on instruments and spacecraft and for mission ground software: command and control, planning and scheduling, science data processing, telemetry analysis and display, web applications, ground support equipment, and simulation.
• Own LASP's software development processes, tailored to each mission's classification, sponsor, and scope.
• Modernize how LASP designs, builds, and verifies software, including responsible AI‑assisted development.
• Set software development strategy, roadmaps, and reuse plans across LASP
• Shape proposals and new missions with software approaches, staffing, and cost inputs.
• Partner with project managers, mission assurance, and scientists in a matrix organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication

Software engineering

Space mission software

Technical direction

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field

Tools

NASA NPR 7150.2

CI/CD

Job description

Job Summary

LASP is looking for a Senior Software Engineering DepartmentManager to lead the 63-person department that delivers flight and ground software for LASP's space missions and science instruments. The department was recently formed from previously separate software groups (flight software, operations software, data systems, and web applications) to create a cohesive organization that spans the mission lifecycle, uses common practices and tools, unifies technical authority, and fosters technical interchange across software disciplines.

You will lead the department through its functional leads, set its technical direction, and own how LASP develops and verifies software, bringing a mission-level perspective to LASP's software strategy. You will report to the Deputy Director for Technology and serve on the Technology Division leadership team.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a new part of the organization, including its practices, its tools, and its culture, while supporting missions that LASP builds and operates.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Founded a decade before NASA, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is revolutionizing human understanding of the cosmos. LASP is deeply committed to inspiring and educating the next generation of space explorers.

From enabling the first exploratory rocket measurements of Earth’s upper atmosphere to trailblazing observations of every planet in the solar system, LASP is at the forefront of solar, planetary and space physics research, space‑weather monitoring, and the search for evidence of habitable worlds.

LASP advances scientific discovery and inspires the next generation through research, innovation, and education in space sciences. We employ over 600 scientists, engineers, support personnel, and students that work closely to cultivate creative ideas and explore novel solutions to make the impossible possible.

LASP is dedicated to building and maintaining a unique synergism of expertise in space science, engineering, and mission operations. Through research projects, LASP participates actively in the training of the future leaders of space research and helps the University of Colorado to educate students with valued technical and scientific skills. Development and use of innovative technologies and continuing participation in new research initiatives ensure a strong leadership role for LASP into the future. LASP is proud of our work environment that supports employee creativity and productivity and offers opportunities for abroad range of experiences. Further information about LASP can be found here: https://lasp.colorado.edu

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Lead the LASP Software Engineering Department through its functional leads; develop them as technical and people managers. Through them, oversee hiring, development, and evaluation of engineers and student employees
• Establish department-wide performance expectations and manage outcomes; build a positive, productive, and healthy department culture.
• Set technical direction for flight software on instruments and spacecraft and for mission ground software: command and control, planning and scheduling, science data processing, telemetry analysis and display, web applications, ground support equipment, and simulation.
• Own LASP's software development processes, tailored to each mission's classification, sponsor, and scope.
• Modernize how LASP designs, builds, and verifies software, including responsible AI‑assisted development.
• Set software development strategy, roadmaps, and reuse plans across LASP
• Shape proposals and new missions with software approaches, staffing, and cost inputs.
• Partner with project managers, mission assurance, and scientists in a matrix organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Should Know

• Many excellent candidates won't match every item in this posting. If you meet many of the requirements can see yourself succeeding in this role, we encourage you to apply.
• Due to requirements to access export‑controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green‑card holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
• This role requires an onsite presence in Boulder, Colorado 3 to 5 days per week.

What We Can Offer

• Annual Salary: $213,500 - $265,000
• Relocation assistance may be available for this position.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well‑being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world‑class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of software engineering experience, including 6+ on space mission embedded flight software or ground software (software supporting mission operations and/or science data processing)
• 5+ years supervising software engineers, including hiring, evaluating, and developing staff.

What You Will Need

• Experience as a software lead or software systems engineer on space missions or instruments.
• Hands‑on expertise in flight software or mission ground software, and working knowledge of the other.
• Understanding of the space mission lifecycle, its milestone reviews, and sponsor software standards such as NASA NPR 7150.2.
• Experience applying modern software practices, such as continuous integration, automated testing, static analysis, and incremental delivery within a milestone‑driven lifecycle.
• Excellent communication skills with engineers, scientists, project managers, and sponsors.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience managing managers or technical leads.
• Experience developing and delivering software through a full mission cycle, from requirements through launch and operations.
• A record of maturing engineering practices and standardizing toolchains across teams.
• Experience in a science‑driven organization.