Director of Software Engineering, Flight Software

Capella Space stands at the forefront of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology and signal intelligence. We provide customers in governments, academia, and commercial sectors with reliable information that enables unparalleled understanding of the world. Our mission is centered on delivering timely and reliable Earth imagery, supporting diverse applications in defense & intelligence, disaster response, energy, environmental monitoring and more. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, Capella Space designs, manufactures and operates an advanced constellation of SAR imaging satellites. Our market-leading SAR satellites are complemented by an unmatched data infrastructure and automated ordering and delivery platform for fast, reliable insights where and when customers need it most. 

Recognized for our technological prowess, Capella Space was honored as one of the 10 most innovative companies in Space in 2023 by FASTCOMPANY. Capella Space is an internationally trusted Earth Observation data provider, working closely with the U.S. Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Force, NASA, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, the Canadian Government and more to make unclassified, high-resolution SAR data more accessible.  

What Makes Capella Unique? 

Capella Space is a highly collaborative team environment, providing an opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the space industry, though no prior space experience is needed.  We’re looking for people excited about tackling seemingly impossible challenges, learning new skills and concepts, and helping each other achieve success. Our mission and our products are meant to understand the whole world and help everyone in it - regardless of race, creed, or any other distinction. We encourage you to bring your unique perspective to help make us stronger, including applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. 

About the Role

Capella Space is looking for an experienced software engineering manager to lead our flight software team. We're looking for somebody who has familiarity with the challenges and constraints of software that will run on hardware in a hard real-time, high-reliability environment, but also someone who has experience with providing technical leadership and people management for a team. In this role you will be a part of a cutting edge cross functional team that designs our next generation satellite bus and payload systems.  

This role will require close collaboration with leaders of other engineering teams as well as flight software team members to ensure a reasonable schedule and prioritization of all tasks, driven by frequent feedback  to ensure software deliveries and timetables match the company needs. In addition, we're looking for someone that listens to the career aspirations of each team member and helps enable the achievement of those goals.  

Role Responsibilities

• Leadership & Management: 
  • Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. 
  • Define technical roadmaps, resources, and work with project management to ensure successful software delivery. 
• Software Development: 
  • Oversee the entire lifecycle including design, development, testing, and validation of flight software systems. 
  • Ensure best practices in software engineering, including configuration management and CI/CD. 
• Technical Oversight: 
  • Provide technical direction and mentorship on software architecture, design, and implementation. 
  • Review and approve software design documentation and code to maintain quality and compliance. 
• Collaboration: 
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems engineering, hardware engineering, and project management, to align software development with overall project goals. 
  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including upper management and internal customers, to provide updates and address any concerns. 
• Continuous Improvement: 
  • Identify technical debt, opportunities for process improvements, and implement best practices in software development and project management. 
  • Stay current with advancements in aerospace technology and software engineering methodologies. 
• Risk Management: 
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks associated with flight software development. 
  • Ensure thorough documentation and traceability of software requirements and testing results. 

Qualifications 

• Education: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. 
• Experience: 
  • 12+ years of experience in software development within the aerospace or similar high reliability industry, with a focus on flight software systems. 
  • 3+ years of experience in a managerial or leadership role. 
• Technical Skills: 
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++ and Python. 
  • Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), bare metal programming, and embedded Linux development. 
  • Knowledge of software development life cycle and agile methodologies. 
• Soft Skills: 
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure. 

Required Qualification

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Compensation 

The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $187,904.00 - $248,972.00.  The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity.  Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.    

Benefits/Perks 

In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation: 

• We offer up to 100% paid medical coverage, with robust vision and dental plans, comprehensive flexible spending accounts, and supplemental health plans 
• Equity 
• 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement planning 
• Generous Parental Leave 
• Flexible Paid Time Off Policy 
• Commuter & Parking Benefits 
• Mental Health Resources 
• Monthly phone stipend 
• Daily provided lunches and stocked kitchens.  
• Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com 

To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/  and follow us on X and LinkedIn to see our SAR imagery!