Director of Mission Software - Clearwater, FL

Role Overview
This position leads the end-to-end development of mission-critical software platforms for autonomous systems operating in complex environments. The role sits at the center of engineering execution, combining software architecture ownership, system integration, and team leadership .
The selected candidate will be responsible for delivering scalable, secure, and deployable software systems that enable autonomous platforms to perceive, decide, and act in real-world operational conditions .

Key Responsibilities
Architecture & Platform Design

• Define and own the software architecture across:
  • Autonomy frameworks
  • Mission systems and control software
  • Operator interfaces
  • Distributed software services
• Ensure modular, scalable, and reusable designs across multiple platforms
• Establish architectural standards and governance

System Integration

• Collaborate closely with engineering leadership and technical teams
• Integrate software with:
  • Embedded systems
  • Sensor and perception systems
  • Communications infrastructure
  • Mechanical and electrical subsystems
• Ensure reliability and performance in field conditions

Engineering Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing software engineering team
• Implement engineering best practices, including:
  • Coding standards
  • Testing and validation strategies
  • CI/CD pipelines and deployment processes
• Drive cross-functional collaboration (AI, hardware, systems engineering)

Operational Deployment

• Ensure successful transition from development to deployment:
  • Field trials
  • Platform integration
  • Operational environments
• Establish feedback loops between field performance and engineering

Required Experience

• 10+ years in software engineering or related technical fields
• Proven leadership experience delivering complex technical systems
• Background in:
  • Autonomous systems, robotics, defense, aerospace, or similar environments
• Strong understanding of:
  • Distributed systems
  • Embedded systems
  • Real-time software architectures
• Experience with:
  • Sensor integration and data processing
  • Mission systems or command-and-control environments