Chief Engineer - Software Engineering
On-site · Cedar Park, Texas, United States
Job Summary
Chief Engineer for Software Engineering leads the technical direction of Firefly Aerospace's software stack across spacecraft, launch vehicles, and lunar landers. You will act as the technical authority for software architecture, oversee design reviews, balance performance, cost, and schedule, and coordinate with subsystem leads on interfaces and dependencies. Responsibilities include rigorous verification and validation, developing performance budgets (CPU, memory, timing), and integrating AI and computer vision for autonomous navigation and mission decision-making. You will mentor senior engineers, interface with internal stakeholders and external partners (e.g., NASA, commercial payload providers), and drive software process improvements while upholding stringent safety and quality standards.
Required Qualifications
- BS in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field
- 10+ years of embedded or flight software development experience, preferably in spacecraft/aerospace
- Expertise in C++ and software systems engineering (requirements management, interfaces, systems integration)
- Experience delivering software in highly regulated, safety-critical environments (aerospace/defense/automotive)
- Strong software verification and validation experience (simulations, hardware-in-the-loop)
- Demonstrated leadership and cross-functional mentoring abilities
- Experience managing risk and performance metrics (memory, power, timing budgets)
- Proficiency with project management tools (Jira, Confluence)
- Excellent communication/presentation skills to diverse stakeholders
Additional Requirements
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required export authorizations under ITAR
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