Director of Software El Segundo, CA

General Galactic designs, builds, and flies advanced spacecraft that redefine what’s possible beyond Earth. Led by former SpaceX, Varda, Impulse, and Relativity engineers, our vision is to dominate cislunar space and build the railway to Mars – expanding access to high‑energy orbits and enabling the next generation of missions along the way. Based in Los Angeles, California, we’re leveraging our paradigm‑shifting water‑based technology to reshape the space domain for good.

This is a senior technical leadership role for someone who can both architect and build. As Director of Software, you will work directly with the founders and technical team to define and own the software architecture, development roadmap, verification approach, and operational stack for General Galactic vehicles and missions. You will be expected to move quickly, exercise strong technical judgement, and take ownership of software from early design through test, qualification, deployment, and flight operations.

As the company grows, this role can also scale into broader team leadership.

• Own the software architecture for General Galactic vehicles, missions, test systems, and operational infrastructure
• Lead the design, implementation, testing, qualification, and deployment of embedded and flight software for real‑time space systems
• Architect and deliver core flight software with a focus on system‑level requirements. Manage critical flight software architectures including state‑machine frameworks and similar.
• Write and review clean, efficient, testable code for real‑time and safety‑critical applications
• Recruit, mentor, and manage software engineers as the team grows
• Support the integration of GNC algorithms and other vehicle autonomy functions into flight software frameworks
• Lead the development and integration of test infrastructure, including hardware‑in‑the‑loop, hardware‑out‑of‑the‑loop, simulation, qualification, and automated test systems
• Establish software development processes appropriate for a fast‑moving aerospace startup, including review/documentation/tracking

• BS in computer science, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or similar degree
• 5+ years of experience in development of software, with preference for aerospace applications
• Experience leading software architecture and development for complex hardware‑integrated systems
• Demonstrated experience with C/C++, Git, Python, Grafana, Rust, or similar
• Experience with RTOS environments and satellite communications protocols
• Understanding of microcontroller architectures and interfaces
• Skilled in debugging and optimization (as well as hazard analysis and root cause analysis)
• Experience with developing software to a safety standard and achieving formal certification with a governing body (e.g. NASA, FAA, FDA, etc.)
• Experience in a fast‑paced startup environment or similar
• First‑principles approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information
• Capable of making efficient, technically‑sound decisions despite uncertainty

This position requires access to information protected under U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Therefore, U.S. person status (U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, individual granted U.S. asylum status, or individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

Your salary and incentives will be determined individually on the basis of the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include medical, vision, dental, PTO, 401(k), stock options, and more.

General Galactic Technologies Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.