At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the engineering team to develop cutting-edge software for space intelligence.
- Company: Join Spaceflux, a leader in optical space intelligence and AI-powered solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and collaboration in a diverse team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the space industry while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Strong full-stack experience and proven leadership in complex software environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Location: London, UK (Hybrid)
Company: Spaceflux Ltd
Reports to: Chief Product Officer
About Spaceflux
Spaceflux delivers sovereign-grade optical space intelligence through a global network of optical and SWIR-enabled sensors and an AI-powered cloud platform. We provide real-time tracking, characterisation, and analytics from LEO to GEO, supporting government and commercial missions with actionable intelligence in seconds. We also deliver tailored sensor system packages, specialist services, and domain intelligence consultancy.
Role Overview
We’re looking for a Head of Software Engineering to own the technical architecture and delivery of the Spaceflux platform. You’ll work directly with the CPO and CTO to translate a demanding product roadmap into well-designed, scalable software. You’ll lead and grow our 10-person engineering team who build and operate it. This is an architecture-led leadership role. You’ll own system design, define technical standards, make hard calls on trade-offs, and unblock your team. You won’t be managing from a distance. The platform is cloud-native, data-intensive, and operationally critical. We process observations from sensors on five continents, run AI/ML pipelines at the edge and in the cloud, and serve government customers who have no tolerance for downtime.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the technical evolution of the Cortex platform over the coming years, working closely with the CPO and CTO on architecture direction and roadmap planning.
- Build a new UK software team for Spaceflux, working alongside our current remote team.
- Own engineering delivery: sprint cadence, quality, velocity, and the relationship between product requirements and technical reality.
- Drive platform stability and scalability as the sensor network expands to 25+ sites and customer demand grows.
- Lead on engineering security practices, particularly in the context of UK Government and defence data handling.
- Work with Ops to improve observability, incident response, and the reliability of a 24/7 operational system.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Strong full-stack background: comfortable with cloud infrastructure.
- Proven experience leading engineering teams shipping production software in complex, data-intensive domains, with strong ownership of system architecture and design.
- Prior experience managing remote or contracted engineering teams.
- Experience in systems where reliability and data integrity genuinely matter: defence, aerospace, finance, or similar.
- Track record of working closely with product and leadership to balance pace with quality.
- Clear communicator who can operate at architecture level and pull request level in the same week.
- Experience with agentic engineering tools and AI-assisted dev workflows.
- Eligible for UK security clearance (SC and UK eyes only). This role involves working on UK Official Sensitive programmes.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Experience with satellite systems, telescope control, or space domain awareness.
- Familiarity with edge computing and distributed sensor networks.
Other Requirements
- Able to commute to central London approximately twice a week, with occasional additional travel for customer or partner needs.
- Able to travel within the UK and occasionally internationally to collaborate with the wider Spaceflux team, meet customers, and attend technical events.
- Able to maintain access to a reliable broadband connection.
Spaceflux Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Head of Software Engineering in London employer: Spaceflux Ltd
At Spaceflux Ltd, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you lead a talented engineering team dedicated to delivering cutting-edge space intelligence solutions. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and encourage a diverse and inclusive environment where every voice is valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, tech talks, or even online webinars. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and contributions. Whether it's GitHub repos or case studies, having tangible evidence of your work can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Spaceflux and understand their products and challenges. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around cloud-native and data-intensive systems.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Spaceflux team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Engineering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Software Engineering. Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure and leading engineering teams, as these are key for us at Spaceflux.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in data-intensive environments and led teams to success.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Include projects or experiences that showcase your full-stack background and your ability to manage complex systems. We want to see your hands-on experience!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spaceflux Ltd
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Head of Software Engineering, you'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of cloud infrastructure and full-stack development. Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around system architecture and design, so you can confidently discuss how you would lead the evolution of the Cortex platform.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about leading a team, so be prepared to share your approach to managing engineering teams. Think about examples where you've successfully balanced pace with quality, and how you've fostered collaboration, especially in remote settings.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. For instance, how would you handle a situation where product requirements clash with technical realities? Have a few examples ready that highlight your decision-making process and ability to unblock your team.
✨Understand the Industry Context
Spaceflux operates in a highly specialised field, so it’s crucial to understand the nuances of working with government and defence data. Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations and security practices, and be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance while driving platform stability and scalability.
