Software Engineer Lead - Vaya Space : Job Details

Summary

You will be part of a team of driven and enthusiastic professionals working to revolutionize access to space. Vaya Space is a purpose-driven, sustainability-focused, and environmentally conscious enterprise dedicated to making a difference for humankind. Vaya's unique vortex-hybrid rocket is projected to disrupt the market, fueled by recycled thermoplastics, utilizing the equivalent of 2 million discarded plastic bottles per launch. Our breakthrough and patented technologies aim to overcome safety, affordability, and sustainability issues to transform the space industry, making the world and space a better place.

As a Software Engineer Lead, you will oversee the design, development, testing, and documentation of mission-critical software for the Dauntless launch vehicle, including flight and ground systems software.

Success in this role requires comfort working in a fast-paced, uncertain environment, collaborating to develop innovative solutions, demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail. Willingness to step outside your comfort zone is essential—our small, dynamic company values everyone pitching in when needed.

Travel Required: Up to 10%

Required Security Clearance: None (ITAR Eligible)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and oversight for launch vehicle flight, test, and ground support software development
• Ensure documentation, testing, and integration of software products into the overall program
• Interface directly with the development team to integrate software into the vehicle design
• Review and develop/update software specifications
• Analyze COTS and vendor software for proper integration
• Manage cost, schedule, and performance of software development and testing
• Identify and communicate risks
• Support configuration studies and test article development
• Develop real-time, safety-critical support software
• Support fault-tolerant flight software development for autonomous control
• Oversee software testing efforts, including hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Produce and review technical documentation
• Provide expert advice to leadership
• Perform other duties as required

Qualifications

• MSci in Software Engineering or relevant engineering discipline
• BSci plus 8 years of relevant experience, or MSci with less experience
• Minimum 4 years of experience with flight software for space systems
• Experience with embedded systems running safety-critical software on RTOS
• Experience across launch vehicle design cycle stages
• Experience with software in a fielded space launch system
• Strong software engineering principles knowledge
• Proficiency with Git and source control
• Project management skills
• Ability to interpret engineering standards and apply configuration management
• Knowledge of aerospace software standards (e.g., NASA-STD-8739.8B, DO-178C)
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and communication skills
• Effective technical communicator
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed
• US Person as defined in 22 CFR Part 120.15 due to ITAR data

Preferred Skills and Education

• Experience with multiple programming languages and development environments used in space launch systems
• Experience satisfying 14 CFR 450.141 (Computing Systems) or launch license requirements
• Experience leading vendor and partner communications
• Experience hiring and leading a full-stack development team
• Understanding telemetry data processing software
• Knowledge of packet processing and error correction algorithms
• Understanding vehicle network communication buses
• Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket)
• Knowledge of hybrid rocket engine concepts
• Experience with MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, C++, or similar