Director of Software Engineering - Blue Ring Flight Software Verified today
About the role
This position is part of Blue National Security, which develops and operates satellite systems for national security spaceflight applications. As Director of Software Engineering for Blue Ring Flight Software, you will lead the teams delivering mission-critical embedded flight software enabling Blue Ring spacecraft to operate safely and reliably on orbit and beyond.
Key responsibilities
- Lead, hire, and develop a multi-team organization of flight software engineers and engineering managers.
- Own technical strategy, architecture direction, and delivery roadmap for Blue Ring flight software, aligned with mission requirements and program schedules.
- Partner with Systems Engineering, Avionics, GNC, and Mission Operations teams to define requirements, establish interfaces, and drive end-to-end software integration.
- Establish rigorous software development, verification, and validation practices for real-time, embedded, mission-critical systems.
- Drive continuous improvement in software quality, reliability, and development velocity.
- Set clear, prioritized goals for engineering managers and hold teams accountable to technical excellence, schedule, and quality standards.
- Represent flight software in program-level reviews, technical baseline decisions, and cross-functional trade studies.
- Mentor and grow engineering managers and senior technical staff to build succession depth.
- Manage staffing plans, budget, and resource allocation across flight software teams.
- Identify and remove roadblocks, escalate risks proactively, and ensure teams have tools and support to deliver.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 12+ years of software engineering experience, including embedded, real-time, or mission-critical systems development (e.g., C/C++).
- 5+ years of experience leading software engineering teams, including direct management of engineering managers or leads.
- Demonstrated experience owning software architecture, technical strategy, and delivery for complex embedded systems programs.
- Experience with software verification and validation practices, including requirements traceability, unit/integration testing, and qualification processes.
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional programs, balance competing priorities, and deliver against schedule and budget constraints.
- Strong communication skills presenting technical status and decisions to senior stakeholders.
Preferred qualifications
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Experience developing flight software for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or satellite systems.
- Familiarity with software safety and quality standards such as DO-178C or NASA-STD-8739.8.
- Experience supporting national security or defense-related space programs.
- Track record of scaling and structuring engineering organizations to support a growing product line.
Compensation and benefits
Base pay range for Colorado applicants: $221,512.00 to $310,116.45. Other site ranges may differ.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, Education Support Program, stock options for regular employees, and up to 4 weeks paid time off plus up to 14 company-paid holidays per year. Bonus eligibility and amounts are not guaranteed and subject to change.
Travel
Up to 20% travel required to support integration, testing, and program milestones across Blue Origin sites.
Employment requirements
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Standard background check required for all positions. Ongoing applications accepted until requisition closes.