Director Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Maryland

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for a Director, Software Engineering to lead the development of the software systems that power our spacecraft, ground infrastructure, and mission operations. This role is for a technical leader who combines deep software engineering expertise with proven organizational leadership. You have built and scaled high-performing engineering teams, delivered complex software systems for aerospace, defense, robotics, or other safety-critical environments, and understand how to balance speed, quality, and mission assurance. You are comfortable operating at both the strategic and technical levels—setting engineering direction, developing talent, and engaging directly with architects and engineers on critical technical decisions.

You know how to build software organizations that execute. You have experience leading multidisciplinary teams, establishing engineering processes that enable rapid delivery, and creating a culture of ownership and accountability. Whether supporting spacecraft autonomy, flight software, ground systems, mission planning, or cloud infrastructure, you understand that software is increasingly the differentiator for mission success.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Lead and grow Quantum Space's software engineering organization across flight software, ground systems, mission operations software, autonomy, and supporting infrastructure
• Establish technical vision, engineering standards, and development processes that enable rapid, reliable delivery of mission-critical software
• Partner with systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, mission operations, and executive leadership to align software roadmaps with company objectives
• Drive software architecture decisions that support scalable spacecraft platforms, mission flexibility, and future product growth
• Build and mentor engineering managers, technical leads, and individual contributors while fostering a culture of technical excellence and accountability
• Oversee software development lifecycle activities including requirements management, architecture reviews, testing, verification, validation, and release management
• Ensure software products meet mission assurance, cybersecurity, reliability, and performance requirements
• Support customer engagements, technical reviews, and proposal efforts for government and commercial programs
• Champion modern development practices including DevSecOps, CI/CD, automation, cloud-native architectures, and model-based engineering where appropriate
• Collaborate across the organization to identify and remove execution bottlenecks while improving engineering effectiveness and product quality

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 12+ years of software engineering experience, including significant leadership responsibility managing engineering teams and technical programs
• Experience building and delivering complex software systems for aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous systems, or other mission-critical environments
• Proven success leading software organizations through periods of rapid growth and increasing technical complexity
• Strong understanding of software architecture, distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, or flight software development
• Experience managing engineering budgets, staffing plans, technical roadmaps, and organizational priorities
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical excellence with execution speed in a fast-paced development environment
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with customers, executive leadership, and technical teams

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience developing spacecraft flight software, autonomy systems, mission planning software, or ground systems
• Familiarity with aerospace software standards, mission assurance practices, and software verification and validation processes
• Experience supporting national security, defense, or civil space programs
• Background in DevSecOps, cloud-native architectures, digital engineering, or model-based systems engineering
• Experience scaling software teams from startup through growth-stage environments
• Active U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance, or eligibility to obtain one

What You'll Get

• Ownership – Lead and shape Quantum Space’s software engineering organization across flight software, ground systems, mission operations, autonomy, and supporting infrastructure
• Impact – Directly influence the software systems and technical capabilities that enable mission success across national security, civil, and commercial space programs
• Innovation – Drive the development of modern, mission-critical software through advanced architectures, DevSecOps, automation, cloud-native technologies, and other emerging engineering practices
• Growth – Build and scale high-performing software teams, develop technical leaders, establish engineering processes, and help shape the software strategy of a rapidly growing space company
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD; or Hawthorne, CA; or Denver, CO

Base Salary: $220,000 to $280,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.