Software Engineering Manager

GROW WITH US AND STAY EXTRAORDINARY:

Launch your career to new heights with Innoflight—one of San Diego’s fastest-growing Aerospace and Defense innovators. Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and cyber-secure solutions. From software-defined radios to cutting-edge cryptographic systems and avionics, everything we build powers the next era of New Space. Join our small, agile, and mission-driven team where your work has real impact and your growth has no limits. We’re not just reaching for the stars—we’re engineering them. Let’s innovate the infinite, together.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

The Software Engineering Manager will lead, mentor, and manage a team of highly skilled embedded development engineers at Innoflight. This role involves participating in the design and development of device drivers, bare metal and real-time application software, test and verification, data analysis, software tools development, and other product development tasks. You will provide guidance and management to the software engineering team as they tackle challenging technical hardware and software problems.

• Team Management: Hire, train, and manage the Software Engineering team, overseeing job assignments and activities to ensure effective performance.
• Collaborative Engineering: Collaborate closely with Hardware, Mechanical, FPGA, RF, and PCB engineering teams to foster a multi-disciplinary approach to product development.
• Standards and Processes: Set standards and processes for the design, development, documentation, and testing of real-time embedded software for bare metal and RTOS environments.
• Environmental Resilience: Manage engineers developing and testing application software that must operate in challenging environmental conditions, ensuring robustness and reliability.
• Tool Design Leadership: Guide the design of tools and test automation systems for Innoflight’s applications and high-reliability system components.
• Development Processes: Establish processes for the development and review of software requirements, designs, code, and components for high-reliability systems.
• Embedded Linux Oversight: Lead and manage teams in the design, development, and verification of embedded Linux device drivers and builds for Innoflight products.
• Performance Collaboration: Work closely with managers from Hardware, FPGA, and Test Engineering teams to establish and execute processes for creating high-performance computation and networking products.
• Development Mastery: Demonstrate mastery of Innoflight’s development practices and processes, maintaining configuration management of high-quality software products.
  
  
  

YOU’RE AWESOME AT:

• Embedded Systems & Software Development: Expertise in developing low-level control software in C, implementing networking and communication protocols (C/FPGA), and building robust solutions on embedded Linux for aerospace and defense systems
• Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead embedded engineering teams, drive complex technical initiatives, and mentor engineers in object-oriented design and best software practices.
• Complex Problem Solving & Integration: Strong aptitude for resolving intricate hardware-software integration challenges through logical analysis, system-level thinking, and effective cross-functional collaboration.
  
  
  

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (required).
• 10 or more years of software engineering or software development experience, preferably in spacecraft and aerospace & defense environments.
• 5 or more years managing embedded engineering teams of 5 or more engineers.
• Expertise in low-level electronic device control software development in C.
• Strong ability to analyze complex documents and electrical schematics to develop device drivers for bare-metal and Linux-based systems.
• Proficiency in applying logical and scientific principles to solve product development and system integration challenges.
• Leadership experience in addressing complex technical hardware/software issues.
• Experience designing and implementing networking and communication protocols in C or FPGA.
• Ability to mentor engineers in object-oriented design principles and promote software best practices.
• Extensive experience with embedded systems and embedded Linux OS.
• Experience with Linux OS development frameworks (e.g., Yocto).
• Familiarity with hardware and FPGA design, as well as FPGA/software hybrid solutions for protocol stacks.
• Proficiency in Python for test automation and familiarity with CI/CD practices.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance.
  
  
  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The starting base salary for this position ranges from $155,000 to $190,000 per year, depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to a competitive base salary, Innoflight offers a well-rounded compensation package that includes a Profit-Sharing Bonus and a Cash Performance Bonus to reward both individual and company performance. Additional benefits include:

• 401(k) with 3% company match (automatic enrollment)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, HSA & life insurance
• 10 paid holidays 120 hours PTO (starting in year one)
• Access to ancillary benefits such as critical illness, accident, disability, legal and pet insurance.
  
  
  

WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE:

• Flexible Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off—whether you use it to recharge, work on a passion project, or spend time with family, the choice is yours.
• Continuous Learning & Development: We’re serious about professional development. From tuition reimbursement to internal "Ask Me Anything" sessions and weekly “Lunch & Learns,” we make learning a core part of the job.
• Mission-Driven Culture: We aren’t just building tech—we’re enabling the next era of space exploration. Our Culture Ambassadors help lead initiatives around inclusion, positivity, recognition, and transparency. Here, your voice is heard, your work is respected, and your individuality is celebrated.
  
  
  

BE YOU, WITH US:

At Innoflight, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone belongs. We recognize that great talent comes in many forms, and you don’t need to meet every requirement to bring value to our team. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t check every box.

YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Potential new employees must successfully complete a background check which includes criminal search, education certification and employment verification prior to hire. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S as you must have the ability to obtain a security clearance. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

A NOTE TO STAFFING AGENCIES:

Innoflight does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies, recruiters, or any third-party sources. Any such submissions will be considered property of Innoflight, and no fees will be paid in the event a candidate is hired from an unsolicited referral.

To California residents applying for this job, please read Innoflight’s CCPA Notice: https://www.innoflight.com/careers/california-consumer-privacy-act-notice-for-job-applicants.