Redwire Space Missions is looking for a Director of Engineering, Software & AI to lead and scale our functional organization responsible for embedded flight software, ground software, mission operations tools, autonomy, and applied AI/ML capabilities for spacecraft programs. This role combines functional leadership with direct technical contributions to flight and ground segment programs.
What You'll Do
- Lead and grow the Software & AI Engineering organization, including embedded flight software, ground control software, autonomy algorithms, simulation frameworks, and DevSecOps infrastructure.
- Define and enforce software engineering standards, coding practices, verification methods, documentation requirements, and mission assurance processes for flight-critical systems.
- Provide direct technical leadership to spacecraft programs as needed, serving as a Software technical lead (e.g., SW Architect or IPT Lead), ensuring architecture, implementation, and verification align with mission objectives.
- Oversee development of real-time embedded flight software for C&DH, GNC, EPS, communications, and payloads.
- Drive development and integration of autonomy, onboard decision-making algorithms, and AI/ML models to improve spacecraft resilience, adaptability, and operational efficiency.
- Partner with Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and AI&T to ensure seamless software/hardware integration, robust verification, and closed-loop performance.
- Guide implementation of digital engineering practices including CI/CD pipelines, automated test frameworks, simulation-in-the-loop, and digital twin environments.
- Build technical roadmaps for software architectures, autonomy frameworks, and AI initiatives supporting future missions and product lines.
- Mentor and develop software engineers, autonomy specialists, and team leads, fostering a culture of technical rigor, innovation, and accountability.
- Support proposal development, customer interactions, design reviews, and mission readiness reviews as the senior software engineering authority.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 16+ years of experience in software engineering for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability systems.
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams.
- Experience leading embedded software development for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or similar mission-critical platforms.
- Experience with real-time embedded systems (C/C++), flight software architectures, or safety-critical software development.
- Familiarity with one or more industry flight software frameworks, such as cFS, F Prime, AGI Max, or similar modular flight software architectures.
- Familiarity with AI/ML methods, autonomy algorithms, or onboard decision systems, including constraints in embedded and space environments.
- Experience with agile execution methods and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).
- Familiarity with requirements management tools (JAMA, DOORS).
- Active U.S. security clearance.
Nice to Have
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, AI/ML, or a related field.
- 5+ years managing a geo-diverse functional organization.
- Demonstrated ability to build and scale functional organizations, mentor staff, and drive engineering excellence.
- Experience as a Chief Software Engineer, Chief Software Architect, or Software IPT Lead for spacecraft missions.
- Experience across the full software lifecycle including architecture, implementation, verification, validation, and operations support.
- Experience developing flight software using the cFS framework.
- Expertise deploying AI/ML systems in real-time or resource-constrained environments, including model optimization and onboard inference.
- Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and modern software development toolchains (e.g., GitLab/GitHub, GitLab CI/CD).
- Experience with digital twin development and simulation.
- Experience with hands-on hardware/software integrated test environments and HITL validation.
- Experience applying cybersecurity principles for space systems and secure coding practices.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across engineering programs and leadership.
- Active U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
- Ability to travel – an average of 15% travel may be required.
Technical Stack
- Languages: C/C++
- Frameworks: cFS, F Prime, AGI Max
- Tools: Jira, Confluence, JAMA, DOORS, GitLab/GitHub, GitLab CI/CD
Team & Environment
You will lead and grow the Software & AI Engineering organization.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary: $190,000 - $265,000/yr
- A highly competitive benefits package
Work Mode
This is an onsite position in Littleton, CO.
Redwire is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Redwire is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
