Mission Management, Software Engineering Manager

For our client, we are seeking a Mission Management, Software Engineering Manager to join the team of a leader in the Aerospace & Defense space. This leader will guide a software engineering team focused on autonomous mission operations and planning for space-based systems. The role combines technical leadership, people management, and architectural oversight to support reliable execution in a complex, mission-critical environment. You will partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders to align priorities, clarify requirements, and strengthen operational readiness across the organization. In addition to driving day-to-day execution, this person will help shape the roadmap, improve engineering processes, and balance rapid iteration with system reliability. The position requires a hands-on leader who can support live operations, foster strong collaboration, and help the team deliver dependable software for advanced aerospace systems. Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available Compensation: $165,000 – $205,000 annually Responsibilities Build and lead the Mission Management engineering team for autonomous satellite operations planning Drive prioritization across projects to align engineering efforts with business goals and customer commitments Partner with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure clarity of requirements and system behavior understanding Provide architectural guidance for orchestrating constellation operations Implement and improve engineering processes for reviews, testing, and operational readiness Foster an on-call culture for effective live system support and incident response Oversee roadmap planning and resource allocation while balancing rapid iteration with system reliability Qualifications Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics, or a similar field 8+ years of software engineering experience with complex autonomous or mission-critical systems 2+ years of experience leading engineering teams as a people manager or technical lead Strong proficiency in at least one programming language such as Go, Python, or C++ Experience developing microservices in cloud environments (AWS, GCP, Azure) and Kubernetes systems Solid understanding of CI/CD practices and operational best practices Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a focus on conflict resolution Benefits 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance plus $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses 15 days of PTO, 11 company holidays, and additional leave options including parental and volunteerism leave 401(k) with employer match and Flexible Spending Accounts for health and dependent care expenses Employee Stock Purchase Program and support for professional development opportunities Choice between Mac or PC and other perks including swag Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.