Ground Software Manager, Launch Vehicles

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.
• 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.

Desired

• 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.