Head of Vehicle Software

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Head of Vehicle Software

🚀 Lead the software that flies the next generation of rockets

We are recruiting a Head of Vehicle Software for a highly ambitious, exceptionally well‑funded space company developing next‑generation orbital launch vehicles. This is a rare opportunity to own the software stack for a rocket built from the ground up, where code directly controls real‑world, mission‑critical systems in extreme environments.

This role is suited to a senior engineering leader who thrives at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems and who wants to build something truly foundational.

About the Company

Our client is a next‑generation space launch company that designs, builds, and launches rockets to deliver satellites and other payloads into orbit.

Their mission is to make access to space faster, more affordable, and repeatable her than following traditional aerospace manufacturing models, the company takes a fundamentally modern approach leveraging advanced manufacturing, large‑scale additive production, automation, and software‑driven design to radically simplify rocket development.

This allows the team to move faster, reduce part count, iterate designs rapidly, and bring a Silicon Valley engineering mindset to one of the most complex machines ever built.

The business is privately owned and extremely well capitalized, with long‑term backing that enables bold technical decisions, aggressive timelines, and the ability to build without short‑term funding pressure. There is a strong sense of momentum, with senior talent joining from leading space and technology companies to help shape the next era of launch.

The Role

As Head of Vehicle Software, you will own the end‑to‑end software stack that runs on the vehicle, from embedded avionics through to real‑time flight software, ground interfaces, and simulation environments.

You will:

• Own the architecture, development, testing, release, and deployment of all vehicle software
• Lead, hire, and mentor multiple teams of senior software engineers and engineering managers
• Oversee embedded systems, real‑time flight software, vehicle configuration, and ground‑side interfaces
• Own simulation and test infrastructure, including hardware‑in‑the‑loop environments
• Partner closely with avionics, controls, systems, and ground teams to deliver tightly integrated end‑to‑end solutions
• Build scalable software platforms and processes to support multiple vehicles in parallel across design, test, and launch

Background We’re Looking For:

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles
• Proven success building and scaling high‑performing engineering teams
• Strong experience with real‑time, embedded, or safety‑critical systems
• End‑to‑end ownership of complex software systems from design through production
• Experience with C++, Go, and/or Rust
• Familiarity with RTOS, bare‑metal development, and/or embedded Linux
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to operate effectively in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments

Aerospace experience is not required.

Why This Role?

• Own software that directly controls a rocket in flight
• Build a vehicle and a software organization from the ground up
• Work on problems where correctness, performance, and reliability truly matter
• Join a company with exceptional funding, ambition, and long‑term vision
• Opportunity for meaningful equity upside at a pivotal stage of growth

📩 Apply or contact us for a confidential discussion

Director

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Defense and Space Manufacturing and Space Research and Technology

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