Head of Software Engineering

Company: espace
Location: Saratoga, CA
Type: full_time
Posted: Aug 19, 2026
Views: 3

✨ AI Summary

E-Space, a company building the world's most sustainable low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, is hiring a Head of Software Engineering (Director/VP level) in Saratoga, CA. This role owns the full software engineering organization for space vehicle programs, requiring deep hands-on expertise in embedded systems, BSP development (bootloaders, RTOS, device drivers), and communications software (SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CCSDS). You need 12+ years of software engineering experience with 5+ years leading teams of 15+ engineers, ideally in space, defense, or safety-critical platforms. The target base pay is $100,000-$185,000 annually, and the role is on-site with no remote policy mentioned.

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure, and actionable? Then you’ve come to the right place!


At E-Space, we’re focused on bridging Earth and space with the world’s most sustainable low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. We’re a team of bold thinkers, ambitious leaders and dynamic doers—and we’re disrupting NewSpace by fundamentally changing the design of legacy LEO space systems to deliver entirely new satellite capabilities at a fraction of the cost.


We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 100% committed—to saving space, to protecting our planet and to turning connectivity into actionable intelligence.

As Director or VP of Software Engineering, you will own the full software engineering organization for our space vehicle programs — from architecture and embedded systems to communications software and mission-critical delivery.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a world-class engineering team at the forefront of commercial and government space. You will set technical vision, drive execution, and be a key voice in company strategy — partnering directly with the CEO, CTO, and program leadership to shape the next generation of space vehicles.

The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on roots in embedded systems, Board Support Package (BSP) development, and communications software — combined with the leadership presence and organizational maturity to scale a high-performing engineering team.

What you will be doing:

Technical Leadership

  • Define and drive the software engineering vision, architecture, and roadmap across all space vehicle programs
  • Provide hands-on technical leadership in embedded systems, BSP development (bootloaders, device drivers, RTOS bring-up), and communications software
  • Oversee software design and implementation for spacecraft comms subsystems including SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CCSDS, and RF data link protocols
  • Own the software architecture for Command & Data Handling (C&DH) systems and mission-critical flight software
  • Champion software quality, reliability, and compliance with applicable standards (DO-178B/C, NASA-STD-8739.8, or equivalent)
  • Drive hardware/software co-design and integration with electrical, systems, and mechanical engineering teams

    • People & Organizational Leadership

  • Build, grow, and retain a high-performing software engineering organization across multiple disciplines and experience levels
  • Hire, mentor, and develop engineering managers and senior/staff engineers into future technical leaders
  • Foster a culture of engineering excellence, psychological safety, and continuous improvement
  • Define career development frameworks, leveling guidelines, and performance standards for the software engineering team
  • Partner cross-functionally with Program Management, Systems Engineering, and Operations to deliver on commitments

    • Strategy & Execution

  • Own software program execution — schedules, milestones, risk identification, and mitigation across all active programs
  • Represent software engineering in customer briefings, program reviews, and executive leadership meetings
  • Contribute to business development and proposal efforts — defining software technical approaches and resource estimates for new pursuits
  • Drive make/buy decisions, toolchain investments, and software development process improvements at scale
  • Build and maintain technology partnerships with key vendors, tool suppliers, and industry partners

    • What you bring to this role:

  • 12+ years of software engineering experience, with 5+ years in engineering leadership (managing managers or leading organizations of 15+ engineers)
  • Deep technical foundation in embedded systems and BSP development — bootloaders, device drivers, kernel bring-up, embedded Linux and/or RTOS (VxWorks, RTEMS, FreeRTOS)
  • Proven experience leading software development for space, defense, or other safety-critical platforms
  • Strong background in communications software — protocol stacks, data link layers, or spacecraft comms subsystems
  • Demonstrated ability to build and scale engineering teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
  • Track record of delivering complex, multi-million-dollar software programs on time and on budget
  • Excellent executive communication skills — able to present to customers, boards, and government stakeholders
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fiel

    • Extra bonus points for the following:

  • Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or above)
  • Experience with spacecraft C&DH (Command & Data Handling) and flight software development
  • Knowledge of CCSDS protocols and space data system standards
  • Familiarity with DO-178B/C software certification and safety-critical verification frameworks
  • Experience supporting DoD, NASA, or other U.S. Government space programs
  • Exposure to radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened computing environments
  • Experience leading software capture strategy for large government proposals ($50M+)
  • Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant engineering or computer science discipline

    • Additional Requirements

    This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.
    This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office. The target base pay for this position is $100,000 - $185,000 annually. The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
    We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used—so we’re looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that’s your experience – then we’ll be immediately wow-ed.
    E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.
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    About the Company

    Name: espace

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