Flight Software Engineering Manager

Flight Software Engineering Manager at Capella Space

Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space‑based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations worldwide 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 supported by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. Capella is a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, and is charting the future of Earth observation by integrating quantum technology to provide ultra‑secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling on‑orbit analytics.

Capella was named one of Fast Companies 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space in 2023 and partners with the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, and other agencies.

As the Manager of Flight Software, 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, support mission‑critical software development, and contribute 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, collaborative environment.

• 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.
• U.S. citizenship or eligible status required for ITAR compliance. Learn more about ITAR here:

The annual salary range for this role is $140,188 – $175,235. Final compensation will depend on experience, location, and market data.

• Extensive medical coverage, vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and supplemental health options.
• Paid Flexible Time Off Policy.
• 401(k) plan.
• Parental Leave program.
• Lifestyle Spending Account.
• Commuter & Parking Benefits.
• Mental Health Resources.
• Mon…