Head of Compute Software

About the role

We are looking for a Head of Compute Software to lead the architecture, development, and deployment of the software systems that power our space-based compute platforms. This role will own the end-to-end software strategy for onboard compute systems, including real-time control, distributed processing, and high-bandwidth data handling in orbit.

Responsibilities

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for onboard compute software across spacecraft platforms
• Lead the design and development of real-time, distributed, and fault-tolerant software systems for space environments
• Own system architecture across operating systems, middleware, networking, and application layers
• Build and lead a team of software engineers, setting technical direction, development standards, and execution velocity
• Drive end-to-end software development from architecture and prototyping through deployment and in-orbit operations
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, GNC, RF, and spacecraft teams to ensure tight hardware/software integration
• Develop systems for real-time control, autonomy, and high-throughput data processing onboard satellites
• Optimize software for performance, reliability, and efficiency within constrained compute, power, and thermal environments
• Establish robust testing, simulation, and validation frameworks (including hardware-in-the-loop and mission simulation)
• Guide build vs. buy decisions, tooling, and infrastructure for onboard and ground software systems
• Represent compute software in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and executive-level discussions

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on distributed systems, embedded systems, or high-performance computing
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• Experience designing and shipping complex software systems (e.g., distributed platforms, embedded systems, or real-time systems)
• Strong background in one or more of the following: Distributed systems or cloud/edge computing, Embedded systems or avionics software, High-performance computing (HPC) or data processing systems, Real-time or low-latency systems
• Experience leading technical projects or teams with increasing scope and ownership
• Strong understanding of system architecture and hardware/software co-design

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building software for aerospace, satellite systems, or other mission-critical environments (e.g., aviation, defense, autonomous systems)
• Background in edge computing or distributed systems operating in constrained, disconnected, or high-latency environments
• Familiarity with operating systems, resource management, and performance optimization under strict hardware and power constraints
• Experience designing or operating systems that must be highly reliable in failure-prone environments (e.g., intermittent connectivity, partial system failures, degraded modes)
• Experience with real-time or near real-time distributed systems, including scheduling, orchestration, and low-latency processing
• Background in networking systems, including handling unreliable links, custom protocols, or high-latency communication environments
• Experience building platform or infrastructure layers that support higher-level applications (e.g., compute platforms, internal developer platforms, orchestration systems)
• Prior experience in high-growth startups or deeply technical organizations where speed and ownership are critical
• Proven ability to build or scale systems from 0→1 in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Experience working cross-functionally with hardware, embedded, or avionics teams to co-design tightly integrated systems