Head of Software at Northwood Space (Torrance, CA)
Northwood Space· Torrance, CA· $225k–$300k·
Role details
Job description
Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.
Role: As Head of Software, you will be responsible for executing Northwood’s digital roadmap to connect Earth and space. You will own and integrate Northwood’s core backend software, infrastructure, networking, spanning cloud services, and ground systems. This is a player-coach role: you set technical direction, lead execution, and stay hands-on to ensure mission-critical systems are delivered reliably and on aggressive timelines.
Responsibilities:
- Own the architecture and technical direction of Northwood’s core software stack, including backend APIs, infrastructure and networking
- Plan, prioritize, and execute complex, cross-functional software projects in close collaboration with hardware and operations teams
- Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing software team across backend and infrastructure domains
- Build and maintain strong engineering foundations, including tooling, CI/CD, deployment, and operational processes
- Ensure systems are scalable, reliable, secure, and observable in production
- Stay hands-on as needed to design, debug, and deliver critical systems
Basic Qualifications
- 7–10+ years of professional software engineering experience, including ownership of production systems
- Demonstrated experience leading teams and delivering complex, mission-critical software
- Strong background across backend systems and infrastructure
Preferred Qualifications:
- Startup experience
- Aerospace or mission-critical systems experience
- Experience with Linux internals, networking, or distributed systems
- Experience with C/C++ or rust
- Background in embedded engineering and leading teams within that domain
Additional Information: If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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.
Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Why work at Northwood Space
- Culture: Values include humility, bias to action, autonomy, and exceptionalism. Teams are trusted to own their work and make decisions.
- Impact: Work is deployed globally — antennas built in Torrance, software orchestrated from LA, sites stood up worldwide.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful equity, comprehensive medical/dental/vision, employer-sponsored 401(k), paid parental leave, commuter benefits, sponsored clubs and quarterly events.
- Work Model: Likely on-site for hardware roles (Torrance, El Segundo, Washington D.C.); some software roles may offer flexibility. Two main office hubs: Los Angeles (HQ) and Washington D.C.
- Engineering culture: Fast iteration, real-world deployment, cross-functional collaboration. “If you like building quickly and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe, we want you at Northwood.”