Head of Software, Space

The Head of Software at Anduril Industries is responsible for leading the software development team for the space business line. This includes overseeing the design, development, testing, and productization of software systems, ensuring alignment with customer requirements, and coordinating resources across multiple programs. Additionally, this role involves creating a center of excellence for space software design and fostering team development to meet current and future challenges.

To qualify for the Head of Software position at Anduril Industries, candidates typically need a strong engineering background, ideally in Computer Science or Aerospace Engineering, along with at least 10 years of experience in senior software leadership roles. Applicants should demonstrate a capability to solve complex technical problems independently and possess clear communication skills. An active U.S. Secret Security clearance is necessary.

The Head of Software at Anduril Industries ensures technical alignment by collaborating closely with Chief Engineers and ensuring that the software development roadmap is in sync with the company's future program captures. This involves balancing engineering best practices with innovative techniques to enhance software reliability and effectiveness in mission-critical environments.

In R&D efforts at Anduril Industries, the Head of Software plays a pivotal role in shaping and guiding the development of innovative software solutions. This involves collaborating with engineering teams and stakeholders to turn research ideas into practical applications that can be integrated into operational systems, all while ensuring the innovations align with customer goals and military needs.

Anduril Industries offers a highly competitive compensation package for the Head of Software position, including substantial base salary, equity grants, comprehensive healthcare benefits, generous PTO, and childbirth leave. Additionally, they provide mental health resources, professional development stipends, daily meals, and relocation assistance, showcasing their commitment to employee well-being and support.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects you've been involved in that relate to the development of software systems for space applications. Highlight your key roles, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Illustrate your proficiency with essential software design principles that impact space applications.

Discuss your leadership style and approach to team management. Mention how you identify individual strengths, foster collaboration, and encourage continuous learning. Provide examples of your experience in mentoring team members and driving project success through effective teamwork.

Be prepared to share specific instances of challenges such as system validation, integration testing, or dealing with hardware-in-the-loop scenarios. Discuss how you developed strategies to ensure thorough testing and how those experiences equipped you to mitigate issues in future projects.

Emphasize the importance of understanding user needs and regulatory standards within military contexts. Discuss your experiences engaging with stakeholders to gather requirements and how you translate those into actionable software development plans, ensuring compliance and functionality.

It's essential to express familiarity with methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, or DevOps. Provide rationale for your preferred approach, discussing how it supports speed and flexibility in design, and back your preference with examples from past projects.

Discuss your methods for identifying potential risks early in the development process. Explain your approach to mitigating those risks and how you prioritize monitoring and adjusting strategies as projects progress. Use concrete examples of risk management techniques employed in your previous roles.

Highlight aspects such as clear communication, diversity of skills, commitment to best practices, and a focus on continuous improvement as vital for team success. Draw from previous experiences where you successfully built or led a team that thrived by leveraging these components.

Provide a compelling story illustrating a high-pressure situation where your innovative thinking led to significant improvements in project outcomes. Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm and focused while adapting to evolving requirements.

Explain how coordination between software and hardware teams is crucial in aerospace projects. Discuss techniques you've used to ensure alignment and collaboration, such as cross-functional meetings, shared tools, or joint development sessions.

Articulate your motivation by connecting your personal values, professional goals, and the mission of Anduril Industries. Highlight your excitement about working on innovative military technology and contributing to significant advancements in defense capabilities.