Head of Software

Job description

Who we are Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies. ABOUT THE ROLE As the Head of Software at Picogrid, you will be the foundational people leader responsible for scaling our software engineering team. This is a highly demanding, hands-on role for a true generalist and leader ready to grow a world-class software department. You will set the team structure and hiring goals across teams that handle backend platforms, real-time geospatial UIs, hardware-software integration, and operator-facing command-and-control systems. You won't just manage, you will architect, build, and ship alongside your team. Work with hardworking, ambitious, world-leading talent to build the future of unmanned system behavior orchestration. RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead the team's growth, people management, and strategic planning across all layers of the Picogrid software stack. - Collaborate with the CTO, the Lead Software Engineer, Product Owners, and Engineering Managers to produce plans and strategy to handle the product and customer development goals. - Act as the primary interface between Software Engineering and all other functions (Go-To-Market, Hardware, and Operations) ensuring software delivers real operational impact for users in the field. - Represent the company in external conversations with strategic partners and customers. - Participate in yearly, quarterly, and monthly planning cycles. Contribute to the development of the product roadmap. - As the founding leader of the Software Engineering Department, you will hire, mentor, and build a high-performing team of engineers across backend, frontend, and platform disciplines. - Successfully grow a fully operational Software Engineering Department, deliver the next generation of our platform and operator products, and establish the technical infrastructure for long-term mission success. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - 8+ years of progressive software engineering experience, with significant time in a hands-on technical lead, principal, or director-level role. - Preferred: past founding or early-stage fast-growth startup experience. - Strong inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to grow people. - Ability to operate with clarity and urgency in the managed chaos of a rapidly growing startup. - Expert-level proficiency across the full generalist software skillset, spanning backend systems, event-based architecture, distributed architecture, APIs (REST, gRPC, GraphQL), real-time data pipelines, and production operations. - Deep familiarity with modern languages and runtimes used in production: Go, Python, and TypeScript. - Strong grasp of relational databases (PostgreSQL), object storage, geospatial tooling, and high-reliability deployment patterns. - Meaningful experience leading both backend platform work and frontend/UI development for complex, data-intensive applications. - Proven experience taking multiple distinct products through the full development lifecycle, from initial architecture to production at scale. - Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with a clear ability to translate technical strategy into product outcomes and articulate it to executive leadership. - Core values of relentless execution, boundless ambition, continued learning, and kindness. Low ego and open-mindedness. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience as a former founder or founding engineer at a successful, fast-moving software company, with a track record of standing up a team or discipline from zero. - U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. - Exposure to DOD IL5+, Top Secret, or JWICS environments; understanding of DOD RMF, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53. - Background in real-time, geospatial, or hardware-adjacent software (e.g., embedded systems, edge compute, fleet management, control systems). - A track record of being prolific and delivering rapid, high-quality results in resource-constrained, fast-paced environments. - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field. (Degree not required.) COMPENSATION & BENEFITS - Base salary range: $220,000 – $320,000 per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid. - Significant stock options with high potential upside as an early-stage company - 401(k) with employer matching - Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance) - Relocation assistance provided (if applicable) - Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year - Paid parental leave for both parents - Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette - Free EV charging at HQ - Unique office in El Segundo, CA stocked with quality coffee, snacks, and craft beer Export Control Requirements To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. #LI-DNP Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Picogrid is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.