Firefly Aerospace · 2 weeks ago
Chief Engineer - Software Engineering
Cedar Park, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
10+ years expFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the Chief Engineer for Software Engineering, you will lead and shape the technical direction of Firefly Aerospace’s software stack across all major programs, ensuring our software systems meet the highest technical standards to support their success.
AerospaceAir TransportationSatellite Communication
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Act as the technical authority for software architecture, design, and implementation across all major programs, including spacecraft, launch vehicles, and lunar landers
Lead key software design reviews, ensuring compliance with mission requirements and robustness to the harsh space environment
Guide technical trades and architectural decisions, balancing system performance, cost, and schedule
Collaborate with subsystem leads to establish and manage software interfaces and dependencies, including avionics, power, and communications systems
Ensure rigorous software verification and validation through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and mission rehearsals
Develop and maintain software performance budgets, including CPU utilization, memory constraints, and timing requirements
Incorporate AI algorithms and computer vision models to support autonomous navigation, object detection, and decision-making during missions
Manage technical risks by identifying, mitigating, and tracking potential issues throughout the development lifecycle
Mentor and develop technical leads and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical rigor and continuous improvement
Interface with internal stakeholders, external partners, and customers (e.g., NASA and commercial payload providers) to provide status updates and technical guidance
Represent Firefly at technical conferences, program reviews, and key industry events
Drive innovation by proposing improvements to software processes, tools, and future mission capabilities
Qualification
Required
BS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
10+ years of experience in embedded or flight software development, preferably in spacecraft or aerospace applications
Expertise in C++ and software systems engineering, including requirements management, interface design, and systems integration
Experience managing and delivering software within highly regulated, safety-critical environments (e.g., aerospace, defense, or automotive)
Strong understanding of software verification and validation, including simulations and hardware-in-the-loop testing
Demonstrated leadership abilities, with experience guiding cross-functional teams through complex technical challenges
Experience managing risk and technical performance metrics, including memory, power, and timing budgets
Strong organizational skills and proficiency with project management tools like Jira and Confluence
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to a range of stakeholders
Preferred
MS or higher in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field
12+ years of experience in flight or mission-critical software development
Experience working through the full life cycle of a spacecraft or launch vehicle program, from design to mission operations
Knowledge of cleanroom and flatsat operational procedures
Experience working with US government space programs, including NASA or DoD projects
Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO9001, or similar quality standards
Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one
Benefits
Generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
Parental leave
Educational reimbursement
Short term disability
Pet Insurance
Flexible PTO options
Company
Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is a space company that develops and operates launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles for commercial mission.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$796.56MKey Investors
Northrop GrummanRPM VenturesAE Industrial Partners
2025-08-07IPO
2025-05-29Corporate Round· $50M
2024-11-12Series D· $175M
Leadership Team
Jason Kim
Chief Executive Officer
Eric Salwan
Co-Founder
Recent News
Company data provided by crunchbase