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Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions in national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. The company takes a vertically integrated approach, designing, building, and rapidly deploying scalable systems that power next-generation space missions.
As Head of Software, you will execute Northwood's digital roadmap to connect Earth and space. This is a player-coach role where you own and integrate the company's core backend software, infrastructure, and networking across cloud services and ground systems. You will set technical direction, lead execution, and remain hands-on to ensure mission-critical systems are delivered reliably and on aggressive timelines.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning the architecture and technical direction of Northwood's core software stack, including backend APIs, infrastructure, and networking
- Planning, prioritizing, and executing complex, cross-functional software projects in close collaboration with hardware and operations teams
- Leading, mentoring, and growing a high-performing software team across backend and infrastructure domains
- Building and maintaining strong engineering foundations, including tooling, CI/CD, deployment, and operational processes
- Ensuring systems are scalable, reliable, secure, and observable in production
- Staying hands-on as needed to design, debug, and deliver critical systems
Note: Due to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Requirements:
- 7–10+ years of professional software engineering experience, including ownership of production systems
- Demonstrated experience leading teams and delivering complex, mission-critical software
- Strong background across backend systems and infrastructure
Preferred qualifications:
- Startup experience
- Aerospace or mission-critical systems experience
- Experience with Linux internals, networking, or distributed systems
- Experience with C/C++ or Rust
- Background in embedded engineering and leading teams within that domain
