Vice President of Software
Loft Orbital
About Loft Federal
Loft Federal is committed to delivering the U.S. national security space community a fast, affordable, and streamlined pathway to orbit. As a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Loft Orbital Solutions, Inc., we specialize in providing mission-ready space infrastructure with unmatched efficiency.
At Loft, we empower our team with autonomy, ownership, and bold problem-solving opportunities while fostering a tight-knit, supportive environment. We believe that diversity, inclusivity, and community are the foundation of an open and innovative culture. We value kind, collaborative, and mission-driven teammates who excel in problem-solving and communication—because great solutions come from great teams.
About the Role
As our VP of Software Engineering, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of software engineers to deliver high-quality software products. This role involves defining and executing to the company’s strategic goals including, overseeing the development process, ensuring project timelines are met, and maintaining a productive and collaborative work environment. You will mentor team members, provide technical guidance, and align the team’s efforts with the company’s strategic goals.
This role requires a dynamic individual who can strategically plan for the future while inspiring and guiding a team of engineers to deliver high-quality software solutions. You will play a pivotal role in driving the success of our software development projects by combining technical expertise with strong leadership and project management skills.
What You’ll Do
- Strategic Planning
- Define Software engineering strategy for satellites, ground and customer facing platforms.
- Represent software engineering in executive discussions, customer engagements and strategic planning.
- Team Leadership and Management
- Implement Loft Federal's Mission, Vision and Values.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of software engineers,
- Conduct performance reviews and provide constructive feedback.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and innovative team culture.
- Project Management
- Oversee the software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deployment.
- Execute effective resource assignment and management to achieve cost and schedule targets.
- Process Improvement
- Identify industry available software tools and lead make/buy decisions.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and quality.
- Advocate for best practices in software development
- Monitor and improve the efficiency of the software development process.
- Stakeholder Communication
- Communicate company status, risks, and issues to stakeholders.
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Act as a liaison between the engineering team and senior management.
- Resource Management
- Allocate resources effectively to meet project demands.
- Manage team workload and ensure a balanced distribution of tasks.
- Plan for team growth and participate in the hiring process.
What You’ll Bring
- Active or recent Top Secret/SCI clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- Proven experience in software architecture development and team management.
- Track record of successful program execution.
- Experience in making successful strategic decisions to guide department and company direction based on market understanding.
- Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, and best practices.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with Agile methodologies and project management tools (e.g. Microsoft Project, Jira, Confluence, etc)
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Familiarity with relevant programming languages and technologies (e.g. Python, C/C++, Django, GraphQL, Kubernetes, Distributed Systems, Hardware-in-the-loop testing, and so on).
- Preference will be given to candidates with a DoD or Intelligence Community Top Secret background investigation with at least 3 years of eligibility remaining or CE status; and SCI eligibility with current experience in SCI programs, other control systems, and/or Special Access Programs.
Why Join Loft Federal
- The opportunity to shape Loft Federal's software products and strategy.
- A culture that values innovation, collaboration, and impact.
Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action
Loft Federal is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility & Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability when applying for an open position, please contact us at recruiting@loftfederal.com for assistance.
We Hire for Talent, Not Just Resumes
Research shows that while men apply for jobs when they meet about 60% of the qualifications, women and other underrepresented groups tend to apply only when they meet 100% of the listed criteria. At Loft Federal, we value diverse perspectives, respectful debate, and people who challenge assumptions. If you’re excited about a role but don’t meet every requirement, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Third-Party Recruiters & Agencies
No outside recruiters, please. Loft Federal does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, staffing agencies, or third-party recruiters. We will not pay fees for candidates submitted without a signed agreement in place.