Flight Software Engineering Manager

Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more.

As a U.S.

-based company, Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites in orbit today. Our satellites are backed by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. As a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, Capella is charting the future of Earth observation.

Together, we’re on a mission to bring quantum computing to space - unlocking ultra-secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling powerful on-orbit analytics.

At Capella, we don’t just imagine what’s possible - we build it. We’re a mission-driven team fueled by curiosity, grit, and a shared commitment to redefining the limits of space innovation. Our environment is fast paced, rooted in humble collaboration. Every team member plays a critical role in shaping the future of our technology and our industry.

As the Manager of Flight Software at Capella, you will lead a team of engineers responsible for developing and maintaining the software that runs Capella’s satellite fleet in space. You will oversee a dedicated segment of the existing flight software team, supporting mission-critical software development and contributing directly to the success of Capella's on-orbit operations.

This role offers the opportunity to influence technical direction, grow and mentor engineering talent, and drive high standards of execution in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. You’ll work alongside engineers and stakeholders across electrical, FPGA, systems, and ground software teams to deliver robust and reliable spacecraft software.

• Lead a team of flight software engineers responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining embedded software for satellite systems.
• Collaborate with peers and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration between hardware and software components.
• Establish and uphold engineering best practices, including code reviews, automated testing, documentation, and design reviews.
• Mentor engineers through technical challenges, performance feedback, and career development.
• Support architectural discussions, software planning, and trade studies within the team’s scope of responsibility.
• Drive consistent and timely execution of project milestones and deliverables.
• Facilitate strong communication across engineering disciplines and ensure software solutions meet mission and system-level requirements.
• Contribute to hiring, onboarding, and team growth efforts as Capella scales.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Experience managing or leading software engineering teams, particularly within embedded systems or aerospace domains.
• Strong foundation in real-time embedded systems, including experience with bare-metal or RTOS environments.
• Proficiency in C and C++ (C++ experience highly preferred); experience with scripting languages such as Python or shell scripting.
• Familiarity with embedded Linux, Linux kernel modules, and development tools.
• Experience with microcontrollers and SoCs (e.g., Xilinx Zynq) and hardware/software integration.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to lead collaboratively and support cross-functional alignment.
• Working knowledge of modern software development practices including Git, CI/CD, and automated testing.
• Hands‑on experience with lab equipment and debugging hardware is a plus.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully…