General Galactic designs, builds, and flies advanced spacecraft that redefine whatโs 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 โ expanding access to highโenergy orbits and enabling the next generation of missions along the way. Based in Los Angeles, California, weโre leveraging our paradigmโshifting waterโbased technology to reshape the space domain for good.
Job Description
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.
Responsibilities
- 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 realโtime space systems
- Architect and deliver core flight software with a focus on systemโlevel requirements. Manage critical flight software architectures including stateโmachine frameworks and similar.
- Write and review clean, efficient, testable code for realโtime and safetyโcritical 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 hardwareโinโtheโloop, hardwareโoutโofโtheโloop, simulation, qualification, and automated test systems
- Establish software development processes appropriate for a fastโmoving aerospace startup, including review/documentation/tracking
Requirements
- 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 hardwareโintegrated 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 fastโpaced startup environment or similar
- Firstโprinciples approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information
- Capable of making efficient, technicallyโsound decisions despite uncertainty
US Person Requirement
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.
Salary and Incentives
Your salary and incentives will be determined individually on the basis of the following considerations: jobโrelated knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits
Benefits include medical, vision, dental, PTO, 401(k), stock options, and more.
Equal Employment Opportunity
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.