Director, Aerospace Software Engineering

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE
As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space - anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.
SUMMARY
As the Director of Aerospace Software Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Firefly Aerospace and space exploration. You will lead a dynamic team of software engineers to design, implement, and test software that will operate our launch vehicles, spacecraft, and test & launch facilities. This role demands a combination of strategic leadership, technical excellence, and a deep passion for space exploration.
You will have the leadership responsibility of building, guiding, and mentoring the team of embedded software, flight software, GNC, and ground software engineers. This role demands both a technical core competency in Aerospace Software Engineering and demonstrated leadership experience in building up empowered Software Engineering teams to do amazing things.
You will work closely with the Embedded Software, Flight Software, GNC, and Ground Software Managers to establish and maintain a high-quality software development organization and improve the software processes and productivity of the Aerospace Software Engineering Department.
Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced startup environment. This position requires high levels of creativity, flexibility, patience, and collaboration. The ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural group is a must.
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a clear vision for the Aerospace Software Engineering Department, aligning with the company's strategic objectives and mission with a mindset for continuous improvement and company success. Lead by example in what you do and what you say.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and expand the team of software engineers and developers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Build the team through hiring, training, personal development, corrective actions, and cross training.
• Process Management: Establish clear and concise CMMI-compliant software development processes to be used by the team for the design, analysis, test, and verification and validation of Firefly's Aerospace Software.
• Project Oversight: Oversee all phases of software development for launch vehicles, spacecraft, and ground test & launch systems, from concept through launch and operation, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety.
• Technical Excellence: Ensure the adoption of best practices in Software Engineering, including agile methodologies, system safety, and reliability engineering, to develop software that meets the rigorous demands of space exploration.
• Collaboration and Coordination: Work closely with other departments and stakeholders, including the CTO, hardware engineering, systems engineering, and mission planning, to ensure seamless integration and alignment of software with overall project goals.
• Innovation and Research: Drive innovation in Aerospace Software Engineering, staying ahead of industry trends and technological advancements, and incorporating cutting-edge solutions into our projects. Support external business development efforts through corporate presentations, proposals, and exploratory trades.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years' experience in Software Engineering with deep technical expertise in software development for aerospace applications, including experience with embedded systems, real-time operating systems, and mission-critical software.
• 5+ years' experience in Software Engineering management role(s) with a proven track record of leading complex Aerospace Software development projects through the full life cycle.
• Excellent comprehension of first principles related to GNC and industry standards for simulation and test of GNC systems.
• Strong working knowledge of Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC), NASA, and CMMI software development processes and software safety standards.
• Experience with Systems Engineering practices.
• Experience with Requirements Management, CONOPS, or System Architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute tasks under pressure.

Desired

• Master's degree in Computer Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of spacecraft and/or launch vehicle Software Engineering management experience including the development of schedules, budgets, and project plans.
• Excellent knowledge of DO-178C, NASA NPR 7150.2D, RCC 319-19 Appendix A, and AFSPCMAN 91-710 Vol 3 requirements.
• Experience working with the FAA and the 30th and/or 45th Space Wing Software Safety Organizations.
• Experience with spacecraft and launch vehicle design, integration, and operations.
• Experience with JAMA, Atlassian Confluence, Jira, and Bitbucket.

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.