Chief Software Engineer

Kepler Communications Inc.

. Serve as the senior technical authority for software across Kepler’s programs .

Posted 9/15/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive technical leadership in software engineering, with a focus on flight software, GNC software, and onboard autonomy. Proven ability to mentor senior engineers and drive organizational change while establishing software standards and architecture across multiple programs.

Highest-signal resume keywords

15+ Years Software Engineering ExperienceTechnical Leadership Across 50+ EngineersFlight Software DevelopmentAI Strategy ExecutionDigital Engineering Familiarity

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software Lifecycle ManagementSoftware ArchitectureAnomaly ResolutionRequirements ManagementFormal Verification MethodsBuilt-In Test DevelopmentEdge ComputingGround Software DevelopmentReusable Services DevelopmentSDK Development

Soft Skills

MentoringCommunicationCollaborationDecision-MakingProblem-Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer ScienceBachelor’s Degree in Software EngineeringBachelor’s Degree in Computer EngineeringBachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Industry Keywords

Spacecraft OperationsOn-Orbit CommissioningSoftware Product AssuranceModel-Based Systems EngineeringCross-Program Technical Leadership

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the senior technical authority for software across Kepler’s programs
Provide cross-program technical leadership for flight and ground software
Set software technical direction, vision, and roadmap
Own the reference architecture and software standards baseline
Resolve complex cross-cutting technical problems and disagreements
Chair software technical decision boards, architecture reviews, and cross-program trade studies
Require additional analysis, review, refactoring, or verification when warranted by software risk
Assess software technical readiness at major program milestones and recommend actions to program execution teams
Provide technical leadership across flight software, built-in test, GNC software, onboard autonomy, edge/orbital compute, ground software, and developer platforms and SDKs
Drive coherent, reusable software architecture across programs
Lead deep technical reviews, design reviews, anomaly investigations, and readiness reviews
Make evidence-based decisions balancing capability, reliability, security, maintainability, schedule realism, and technical risk
Communicate technical direction and recommendations to engineering, systems, program leadership, customers, suppliers, and partners
Document and communicate software decisions, assumptions, risks, and actions
Build alignment across Software, Systems, Program Management, Product Assurance, and leadership
Mentor software leads, architects, and senior engineers
Drive reuse, platform standardization, tooling, CI/CD maturity, and lessons learned
Recommend acceptance of software technical risks, waivers, and deviations
Escalate software technical issues threatening program or platform success

Requirements

What you’ll need

15+ years of progressive software engineering experience
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
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

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation designed to recognize and reward your contributions
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents
401(k)
Annual Wellness Allowance
Unlimited vacation
Supportive parental leave policy
Company-wide holiday shutdown
Semi-annual company-wide parties
Regular virtual and team events
Relocation packages available for approved roles
$1,500 annual professional development fund
Town Halls, Celebration Calls and frequent company-wide events
Certified Great Place to Work® recognition