Software Engineering Lead

Software Engineering Lead

We develop mission-critical aerospace systems that combine software, networking, communications, and operational workflows into integrated mission capabilities. We are seeking a Software Engineering Lead to direct technical execution and strategic direction of our software and network engineering efforts.

This role combines engineering leadership, technical oversight, and organizational coordination. You will lead a small multidisciplinary team responsible for software and network system development across the full program lifecycle—from requirements definition through integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment.

The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering foundation, sound technical judgment, and the ability to align engineering execution with program priorities and long-term business strategy. This role requires someone who can lead both technically and organizationally: driving architecture decisions, managing engineering execution, and ensuring teams deliver high-quality systems on schedule.

You will work closely with program management, systems engineering, test engineering, and business development to ensure successful delivery of reliable, scalable, and mission-ready solutions.

What You'll Do:

• Provide technical leadership and vision for software architecture, network designs, interface definitions, and integrated system solutions across multiple programs
• Lead and manage a small software and network engineering team, including project planning, staffing, prioritization, execution tracking, and technical coordination
• Develop project estimates, resource plans, schedules, and progress reporting to support program execution and organizational planning
• Support program execution through cost, schedule, technical, and risk oversight
• Prepare and present technical materials for major program reviews, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs)
• Collaborate with Test Engineering leadership to ensure software verification and validation activities meet program requirements
• Oversee the integration, testing, analysis, and documentation of software and network systems
• Serve as a technical interface to customers for software and network-related program activities, including verification and validation discussions
• Analyze existing systems and recommend improvements, enhancements, and modernization strategies
• Drive research and development initiatives that support long-term technical and business objectives
• Support business development efforts through technical planning, customer engagement, proposal support, and solution development
• Build relationships with external partners, suppliers, and technology providers to strengthen strategic capabilities

What We're Looking For:

You are an experienced engineering leader with a strong technical background and the ability to lead complex engineering efforts from concept through delivery.

You have deep experience in software engineering and software architecture and can guide teams in developing scalable, maintainable, and reliable systems for real-world operational environments.

You are comfortable balancing technical leadership with project execution responsibilities, including planning, estimation, staffing, prioritization, progress tracking, and customer communication.

You can operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels, helping define long-term technical direction while ensuring day-to-day engineering execution remains on track.

You communicate effectively with engineers, program leadership, customers, and external partners and can clearly present complex technical concepts during program reviews and customer engagements.

A strong engineering background is required. Additional experience or education in electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or related technical disciplines is highly valued.

You value engineering rigor, accountability, and collaboration and can help teams deliver reliable systems under real-world operational constraints.

You can write and review software and are comfortable engaging directly in technical discussions with engineering teams.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
• Typically, 10+ years of experience in software engineering
• Prior technical leadership or engineering management experience preferred

Preferred Experience:

• Software architecture and distributed systems
• Network infrastructure and communications systems
• Real-time or mission-critical systems
• Systems integration and verification/testing
• Requirements development and technical documentation
• Program execution in aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries
• Project planning, estimation, scheduling, and resource management
• Experience preparing for and participating in PDR/CDR and other formal technical reviews
• Experience supporting technical proposals and business capture efforts

How We Work:

We are not a startup, but we operate with ownership and technical rigor. We are building serious aerospace systems, and we expect strong engineering discipline.

Strong preference for onsite collaboration. Hybrid may be considered. Remote candidates will not be prioritized.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.
• Working Conditions: Primarily in a standard office environment, with occasional exposure to labs, production areas, and field integration activities, including noise, fumes, moving machinery, and varying temperatures. Occasional travel to field sites within the United States or overseas may be required to support system deployment, integration, testing, or troubleshooting activities.

In compliance with state and local laws, the salary range for this role is $150,000- $200,000. The range provided is a general guideline and good faith estimate representative of all experience levels but is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. TCOM considers several factors when extending an offer including, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, a candidate's experience, education/training, key skills, internal equity, and current market conditions. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

TCOM offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts/HSAs, EAP, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, paid time off (PTO), and company-paid holidays. The specific programs, options and eligibility may vary depending on date of hire, classification, and schedule type.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.