Capella Space
About Capella Space
Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions - across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more.
As a U.S.-based company, Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites in orbit today. Our satellites are backed by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. As a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, Capella is charting the future of Earth observation. Together, we're on a mission to bring quantum computing to space - unlocking ultra-secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling powerful on-orbit analytics. This visionary integration of advanced remote sensing and quantum technology will support customers with the highest level of data fidelity, security, and speed.
Capella was named one of Fast Company's 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space in 2023 and is a trusted partner of the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and allied government agencies worldwide. Built In recognized IonQ on three of its 2025 Best Places to Work lists.
What Makes Capella Unique?
At Capella, we don't just imagine what's possible - we build it. We're a mission-driven team fueled by curiosity, grit, and a shared commitment to redefining the limits of space innovation. Our environment is fast paced, rooted in humble collaboration. Every team member plays a critical role in shaping the future of our technology and our industry. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and help solve problems that others call impossible-we're the place for you. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, and we thrive on diverse perspectives that help us move faster, think deeper, and push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you're new to the space industry or a seasoned expert, you'll find a team that values creativity, integrity, and bold thinking. Join us as we build the future of SAR-and take quantum to space.
About the Role & Team
As a Lead Software Engineer for Flight Software at
Capella , you will lead a team of engineers responsible for developing and maintaining the software that runs Capella's satellite fleet in space. You will oversee a dedicated segment of the existing flight software team, support mission-critical software development and contributing directly to the success of Capella's on-orbit operations. This role reports to the Director of Flight Software and offers the opportunity to influence technical direction, grow and mentor engineering talent, and drive high standards of execution in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. You'll work alongside engineers and stakeholders across electrical, FPGA, systems, and ground software teams to deliver robust and reliable spacecraft software.
Responsibilities Lead a team of 3-5 flight software engineers responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining embedded software for satellite systems. Contribute to software development efforts directly, including hands-on coding and participation in code reviews. Collaborate with peers and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration between hardware and software components. Establish and uphold engineering best practices, including code reviews, automated testing, documentation, and design reviews. Mentor and grow engineers through technical challenges, performance feedback, and career development. Support architectural discussions, software planning, and trade studies within the team's scope of responsibility. Drive consistent and timely execution of project milestones and deliverables. Facilitate strong communication across engineering disciplines and ensure software solutions meet mission and system-level requirements. Contribute to hiring, onboarding, and team growth efforts as Capella scales. Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field (advanced degree preferred). 1+ years of experience managing or leading software engineering teams, particularly within embedded systems or aerospace domains. Strong foundation in real-time embedded systems, including experience with bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux environments. Proficiency in C and C++ (C++ experience highly preferred); experience with scripting languages such as Python or shell scripting. Familiarity with embedded Linux, Linux kernel modules, and development tools. Experience with microcontrollers and SoCs (e.g., Xilinx Zynq) and hardware/software integration. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to lead collaboratively and support cross-functional alignment. Working knowledge of modern software development practices including Git, CI/CD, and automated testing. Hands-on experience with lab equipment and debugging hardware is a plus. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here. Compensation
The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $150,000 - $181,000. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.
Benefits/Perks
In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options. 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals Generous Parental Leave Paid Flexible Time Off Policy Lifestyle Spending Account Commuter & Parking Benefits Mental Health Resources Monthly Phone Stipend Furry friends? We've got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options
Equal Opportunity Statement
Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com
To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/ and follow us on
X
and
LinkedIn to see our SAR imagery!
Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions - across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more.
As a U.S.-based company, Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites in orbit today. Our satellites are backed by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. As a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, Capella is charting the future of Earth observation. Together, we're on a mission to bring quantum computing to space - unlocking ultra-secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling powerful on-orbit analytics. This visionary integration of advanced remote sensing and quantum technology will support customers with the highest level of data fidelity, security, and speed.
Capella was named one of Fast Company's 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space in 2023 and is a trusted partner of the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and allied government agencies worldwide. Built In recognized IonQ on three of its 2025 Best Places to Work lists.
What Makes Capella Unique?
At Capella, we don't just imagine what's possible - we build it. We're a mission-driven team fueled by curiosity, grit, and a shared commitment to redefining the limits of space innovation. Our environment is fast paced, rooted in humble collaboration. Every team member plays a critical role in shaping the future of our technology and our industry. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and help solve problems that others call impossible-we're the place for you. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, and we thrive on diverse perspectives that help us move faster, think deeper, and push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you're new to the space industry or a seasoned expert, you'll find a team that values creativity, integrity, and bold thinking. Join us as we build the future of SAR-and take quantum to space.
About the Role & Team
As a Lead Software Engineer for Flight Software at
Capella , you will lead a team of engineers responsible for developing and maintaining the software that runs Capella's satellite fleet in space. You will oversee a dedicated segment of the existing flight software team, support mission-critical software development and contributing directly to the success of Capella's on-orbit operations. This role reports to the Director of Flight Software and offers the opportunity to influence technical direction, grow and mentor engineering talent, and drive high standards of execution in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. You'll work alongside engineers and stakeholders across electrical, FPGA, systems, and ground software teams to deliver robust and reliable spacecraft software.
Responsibilities Lead a team of 3-5 flight software engineers responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining embedded software for satellite systems. Contribute to software development efforts directly, including hands-on coding and participation in code reviews. Collaborate with peers and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration between hardware and software components. Establish and uphold engineering best practices, including code reviews, automated testing, documentation, and design reviews. Mentor and grow engineers through technical challenges, performance feedback, and career development. Support architectural discussions, software planning, and trade studies within the team's scope of responsibility. Drive consistent and timely execution of project milestones and deliverables. Facilitate strong communication across engineering disciplines and ensure software solutions meet mission and system-level requirements. Contribute to hiring, onboarding, and team growth efforts as Capella scales. Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field (advanced degree preferred). 1+ years of experience managing or leading software engineering teams, particularly within embedded systems or aerospace domains. Strong foundation in real-time embedded systems, including experience with bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux environments. Proficiency in C and C++ (C++ experience highly preferred); experience with scripting languages such as Python or shell scripting. Familiarity with embedded Linux, Linux kernel modules, and development tools. Experience with microcontrollers and SoCs (e.g., Xilinx Zynq) and hardware/software integration. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to lead collaboratively and support cross-functional alignment. Working knowledge of modern software development practices including Git, CI/CD, and automated testing. Hands-on experience with lab equipment and debugging hardware is a plus. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here. Compensation
The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $150,000 - $181,000. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.
Benefits/Perks
In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options. 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals Generous Parental Leave Paid Flexible Time Off Policy Lifestyle Spending Account Commuter & Parking Benefits Mental Health Resources Monthly Phone Stipend Furry friends? We've got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options
Equal Opportunity Statement
Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com
To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/ and follow us on
X
and
LinkedIn to see our SAR imagery!