Head of Software
Picogrid
Posted about 5 hours ago
Who we are
Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies.
About the Role
As the Head of Software at Picogrid, you will be the foundational technical leader responsible for defining, building, and scaling our entire software engineering function. You will lead the end-to-end development of Picogrid's software stack: from the Legion platform and Orion C2 interfaces to edge-deployed systems operating in disconnected, denied, and degraded environments. This is a highly demanding, hands-on role for a true generalist and technical leader ready to stand up a world-class department from the ground up.
You will set the technical vision across backend platforms, real-time geospatial UIs, hardware-software integration, and operator-facing command-and-control systems. You won't just manage, you will architect, build, and ship alongside your team. Work with hardworking, ambitious, world-leading talent to build the future of unmanned system behavior orchestration.
Responsibilities
Lead the comprehensive software development lifecycle from initial architecture through production deployment, across all layers of the Picogrid stack.
Architect and own the technical direction of our backend platform, including distributed systems, real-time data pipelines, API design, and hardware-software integration.
Architect and own the technical direction of our operator-facing products, including real-time geospatial UIs, C2 interfaces, and mission-critical control systems.
Define engineering process standards, code review culture, CI/CD infrastructure, deployment philosophy, and toolchain decisions across the software organization.
Act as the primary interface between Engineering and all other functions (Product, Hardware, and Operations) ensuring software delivers real operational impact for users in the field.
Set the technical bar and drive a culture of speed, ownership, and craftsmanship: rapidly iterating from concept to production while maintaining high standards of reliability and security.
Embody and teach how to use intuition, judgment, and domain knowledge to accelerate technical decisions and cut through complexity.
As the founding leader of the Software Engineering Department, you will hire, mentor, and build a high-performing team of engineers across backend, frontend, embedded, and platform disciplines.
Successfully grow a fully operational Software Engineering Department, deliver the next generation of our platform and operator products, and establish the technical infrastructure for long-term mission success.
Required Qualifications
8+ years of progressive software engineering experience, with significant time in a hands-on technical lead, principal, or director-level role.
Preferred: past founding or early-stage fast-growth startup experience.
Ability to operate with clarity and urgency in the managed chaos of a rapidly growing startup.
Expert-level proficiency across the full generalist software skillset, spanning backend systems, event-based architecture, distributed architecture, APIs (REST, gRPC, GraphQL), real-time data pipelines, and production operations.
Deep familiarity with modern languages and runtimes used in production: Go, Python, and TypeScript.
Strong grasp of relational databases (PostgreSQL), object storage, geospatial tooling, and high-reliability deployment patterns.
Meaningful experience leading both backend platform work and frontend/UI development for complex, data-intensive applications.
Proven experience taking multiple distinct products through the full development lifecycle, from initial architecture to production at scale.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with a clear ability to translate technical strategy into product outcomes and articulate it to executive leadership.
Core values of relentless execution, boundless ambition, continued learning, and kindness. Low ego and open-mindedness.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience as a former founder or founding engineer at a successful, fast-moving software company, with a track record of standing up a team or discipline from zero.
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Exposure to DOD IL5+, Top Secret, or JWICS environments; understanding of DOD RMF, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53.
Experience building or integrating with military C2 platforms (e.g., TAK, Maven, Lattice) or similar mission-critical operator systems.
Background in real-time, geospatial, or hardware-adjacent software (e.g., embedded systems, edge compute, fleet management, control systems).
A track record of being prolific and delivering rapid, high-quality results in resource-constrained, fast-paced environments.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field. (Degree not required.)
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary range: $220,000 – $270,000 per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid.
Significant stock options with high potential upside as an early-stage company
401(k) with employer matching
Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave for both parents
Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
Free EV charging at HQ
Unique office in El Segundo, CA stocked with quality coffee, snacks, and craft beer
Export Control Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
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