At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation to autonomous space operations and set the technical vision.
- Company: Join Spire, a pioneering company revolutionising space technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Hands-on role with a focus on innovation and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in modern space operations with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering background and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 135000 - 165000 £ per year.
Spire is making a fundamental shift in how it operates its constellation. We are moving from a model where trained operators watch dashboards and upscale to experts, to one where the system is fully autonomous, self-healing, and data intelligent. This Director will lead that transformation. You will set the technical vision, define the architecture, build and inspire the team, and personally raise the standard for what modern space operations look like.
The old model relies on operators, escalations, manual processes, and institutional knowledge locked in the heads of a few experts. It does not scale and it does not belong in a modern space company. We know what we want to replace it with: SRE principles applied to a constellation, autonomous fault handling, AI-driven anomaly detection, low toil, high data quality, and continuous improvement baked into the system.
What This Role Is Not: This is not a role for someone who wants to graduate out of technical work. If your ideal week is back-to-back 1:1s, sprint ceremonies, and stakeholder syncs, this is not the right fit. We need a director who writes code, reviews architecture, challenges technical decisions, and earns the team's respect through demonstrated craft and not just tenure or title.
What You Will Work On:
- Technical Leadership
- Define and own the technical roadmap for autonomous constellation operations
- Set the architectural direction for the data platform, reliability systems, and automation infrastructure
- Stay hands-on: review code, prototype solutions, and get into the details when it matters
- Establish engineering standards across code quality, system design, testing, and observability, and hold the team to them
- Be the person engineers come to when the problem is genuinely hard
Director of Software Engineering employer: Spire Global, Inc.
At Spire Global, Inc., we pride ourselves on being an innovative leader in the space industry, offering our employees a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and creativity. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while ensuring that team members can engage directly with cutting-edge technology and contribute to meaningful projects that impact satellite operations. With a strong emphasis on professional development and a culture that values teamwork, we provide ample opportunities for growth and advancement in your career as a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Software Engineering
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Spire Global, Inc. or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Spire Global, Inc..
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Spire Global, Inc..
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Spire Global, Inc. that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Software Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Spire Global, Inc..
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Spire Global, Inc. and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spire Global, Inc.
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Spire Global, Inc. uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.