Flight Software Engineering Manager

terranorbitalcorporation

Irvine, CA · Irvine · United States

Posted Jun 16, 2026

Full-time
Flight Software & GNC

Job description

Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Flight Software Engineering Manager to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director of Program Engineering, the Flight Software Engineering Manager will be involved in all aspects of a spacecraft's lifetime, with an in-depth vision to guide and mentor members of the team, in addition to their managerial responsibilities. These include, but not limited to, scheduling and resource planning to support programs, proposals and other business activities, interfacing with other teams and business units to provide guidance and context to create processes and standards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Tasking and oversight of Flight Software Engineers, who design and develop flight software applications
Attend program meetings and develop work breakdowns for the engineers
Function as a lead program software engineer when necessary
Represent engineers in bi-weekly Sprint planning
Contribute to Code Reviews as necessary
Managing direct reports from human resource perspective, providing technical mentorship, and conducting team meetings, performance reviews, interviews as necessary to meet the work demand and expectations for the team being managed.
Providing presentations, reports, summary, and status updates to upper management on a weekly basis
Other duties may be assigned as needed

Required Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace, or equivalent degree required
Minimum of 8 years of direct industry experience working on embedded software in Aerospace, Space, or a similar sector
Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing engineering teams working on embedded software in Aerospace, Space, or a similar sector
Strong and effective leader who has proven history leading technical teams
Must have previous mentorship experience to train junior level engineers
Experience developing software in C/C++, deploying and testing on the target environment, and delivering product to the market
Ability to work independently and manage priorities in a multi-disciplinary and fast-paced environment
Exceptional critical thinking and decision-making skills
Strong communication and presentation skills to interface with executive members of the team, customers, and vendors
Experience in a production environment within the space or aerospace industry
U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

MS or PhD in Computer Science or Engineering with an embedded focus
Experience developing on Linux
Familiarity with Zynq 7000 series and/or microprocessors
Familiarity with FPGA
Familiarity with HW testing equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers

Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!

Salary Range

$150,000—$210,000 USD

Full-time positions only:

Benefits

100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
401(k) Match
Flexible Time Off (FTO)
Education Reimbursement
Competitive Paid Parental Leave

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.

Work Environment

The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.

Disclaimers

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.

Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com.

Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.

And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.