Software Chief Engineer

Kepler Communications

60d

About The Position

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it! Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact. If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive software engineering experience, including significant experience as a Chief Engineer, Software Architect, Distinguished Engineer, Technical Fellow, or equivalent senior technical authority
• Demonstrated success providing technical direction across a software organization of 50+ engineers, multiple programs, and several engineering disciplines
• Strong understanding of the complete software lifecycle: requirements, architecture, detailed design, implementation, integration, verification, validation, deployment, operations, maintenance, and anomaly resolution
• Experience mentoring senior engineers, architects, and technical leads and developing the next generation of technical leadership
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience establishing and executing an AI strategy across software engineering and the broader organization
• Demonstrated success driving organizational change, building AI fluency, and encouraging adoption among engineers, technical leaders, and non-technical teams

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience developing flight software, spacecraft autonomy, GNC software, payload software, onboard or edge computing, and ground-segment systems
• Experience with spacecraft operations, on-orbit commissioning, anomaly resolution, or software updates to operational systems
• Familiarity with digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, requirements management, software product assurance, and formal verification methods
• Experience building common software platforms, SDKs, reusable services, and shared infrastructure across several products or programs
• Experience working within a scaling technology company where processes, architectures, and organizational structures are continuing to mature

Responsibilities

• Provide software technical leadership across flight software, built-in test, GNC software, onboard autonomy, edge/orbital compute, ground software, and the developer platform and SDK
• Drive convergence toward a coherent, reusable software architecture across programs
• Ensure software activities remain aligned with mission and platform objectives
• Take on the highest-risk and hardest cross-cutting software problems and drive them to resolution
• Identify and remove software technical roadblocks that span teams and programs
• Ensure timely software technical decisions and clear technical accountability across programs
• Lead deep software technical reviews across programs: architecture, interfaces, timing and real-time behavior, fault management, margins, and security
• Challenge assumptions, designs, analyses, test evidence, and verification coverage
• Lead software design reviews, anomaly investigations, and readiness reviews
• Make timely, evidence-based software technical decisions
• Balance capability, reliability, security, maintainability, schedule realism, and technical risk
• Prevent teams from stalling on unresolved cross-cutting software issues
• Communicate software technical direction clearly and consistently across the engineering organization
• Translate complex software issues into concise recommendations for leadership
• Represent software engineering in customer reviews, supplier and partner meetings, and governance boards
• Ensure software decisions, assumptions, risks, and actions are clearly documented (KEDS) and communicated
• Build alignment across Software, Systems, Program Management, Product Assurance, and leadership
• Mentor software leads, architects, and senior engineers, and grow the next tier of technical leaders
• Raise the standard of software technical rigor, review quality, and standards compliance
• Drive reuse, platform standardization, tooling and CI/CD maturity, and lessons learned

Benefits

• Competitive compensation designed to recognize and reward your contributions.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.
• 401(k) and an annual Wellness Allowance.
• Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.
• Semi-annual company-wide parties and regular (virtual and team events.
• Relocation packages available for approved roles.
• $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.
• Town Halls, Celebration Calls and Frequent company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.
• We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, seven years in a row at our Canadian Headquarters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior