Software Chief Engineer

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of on-demand space connectivity - we're leading it!   Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.    Industry-leading technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.    If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!        What We Offer: - Competitive compensation designed to recognize and reward your contributions.  - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.  - 401(k) and an annual Wellness Allowance. - Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.  - Semi-annual company-wide parties and regular (virtual and team events.  - Relocation packages available for approved roles.  - $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.  - Town Halls, Celebration Calls and Frequent company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.  - We’re a certified Great Place to Work®, seven years in a row at our Canadian Headquarters.  As the Software Leader/Chief Engineer, you are the senior technical authority for software across Kepler’s programs and the point of technical accountability for the integrity and coherence of our flight and ground software as an integrated capability. You will provide cross-program technical leadership to ensure software is architected, developed, verified, and operated to standard. You set software technical direction, vision, and roadmap, own the reference architecture and software standards baseline, resolve the hardest cross-cutting technical problems, conduct rigorous technical reviews, and communicate clearly with engineering teams, systems and program leadership, customers, and partners.  This is a horizontal technical-authority role. You do not own program delivery, schedule, or line management, those remain with the program managers and software leads. You are the technical conscience that keeps the software portfolio coherent, sound, and mission-ready, and a force multiplier for the architects and leads already embedded on programs.  Primary Accountability  The Software Leader/Chief Engineer is accountable for the technical integrity and coherence of Kepler's software across programs. You are responsible for the soundness of software architecture, cross-program reuse and interface consistency, verification rigor, security, and the maturity of the software technical baseline. You balance capability, reliability, maintainability, schedule realism, and technical risk to ensure Kepler's software is delivered to standard and fit for purpose across every program and product line.  Authorities  Establish the software technical direction, vision, and roadmap across programs, reviewed and approved with the Director of Software & Digital Design  Own and approve the software architecture and standards baseline (KEDS, ECSS-E-ST-40 / Q-ST-80, NASA NRP 7150.2 heritage).  Chair software technical decision boards, architecture reviews, and cross-program trade studies.  Resolve cross-program and cross-discipline software technical disagreements.  Require additional analysis, review, refactoring, or verification when software risk warrants.  Assess software technical readiness at major program milestones (PDR, CDR, TRR-equivalent gates) and provide recommendations to the program execution team.  Recommend acceptance of software technical risks, waivers, and deviations.  Escalate software technical issues that threaten program or platform success.