Software Engineering Manager

About the role

Siftstack provides data infrastructure for hardware engineering teams working on rockets, satellites, and autonomous systems. We are seeking a manager to oversee our Data Platform team, focusing on the ingestion, storage, and processing of high-frequency telemetry. You will lead the development of systems that function across cloud, on-premise, and air-gapped environments. This role involves shaping the technical foundation that enables mission-critical insights for our customers in aerospace and defense. You will be responsible for translating complex engineering challenges into scalable data solutions. The position requires a balance of hands-on technical contribution and strategic leadership. You will guide the architecture and delivery of the core data platform that powers our customers' hardware programs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Manage and mentor a team of engineers to support their professional growth and career development.
• Partner with product and go-to-market teams to define technical direction and translate business needs into technical roadmaps.
• Maintain rigorous standards for code quality, testing, and delivery speed to ensure reliable software releases.
• Implement and improve engineering workflows, agile practices, and the adoption of AI-driven development tools to boost team efficiency.
• Participate in architectural decisions for the data platform and contribute directly to the codebase for major features and components.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and operation of data ingestion pipelines that handle high-frequency telemetry streams.
• Ensure the stability, performance, and security of data storage solutions across cloud, on-premise, and air-gapped environments.
• Collaborate with data exploration engineers to optimize tools like Grafana and Jupyter Notebooks for analyzing complex datasets.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to align the Data Platform with the needs of aerospace, autonomous systems, and defense applications.
• Mentor engineers on best practices for distributed systems, stream processing, and database optimization.

Requirements

• 7+ years of total software engineering experience with a strong track record of delivering complex systems.
• 2+ years of experience in a people management role, including hiring, performance reviews, and mentorship.
• Bachelor degree in Computer Science, STEM, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Proficiency in distributed systems and web applications using Go, Rust, or Python to build scalable and resilient services.
• Experience with in-stream processing tools like Apache Kafka, Flink, or Beam to handle real-time data flows.
• Familiarity with databases such as PostgreSQL, Druid, Pinot, or Timescale for operational and analytical workloads.
• Experience with data exploration and visualization tools like Grafana or Jupyter Notebooks to derive insights from telemetry.
• Must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) to comply with ITAR and EAR regulations governing defense-related technology.

Nice to have

• Background in aerospace, autonomous vehicles, robotics, defense, or energy sectors to bring domain context to the team.
• Experience leading AI-focused teams or initiatives to leverage machine learning in data platform operations.
• Academic or professional background in Data Science or Statistics to bridge analysis and engineering efforts.
• Experience building customer-facing UIs and data dashboards to provide visibility into system performance and health.

Practical notes

The role requires in-person collaboration at our Marina Del Rey office twice weekly, specifically on Mondays and Thursdays, to foster close teamwork and alignment. Additionally, there is a requirement for a full week of team gathering every two months to strengthen collaboration and planning. These in-person commitments are essential for maintaining the high level of coordination required for our mission-driven projects. Benefits include unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with company match, and comprehensive coverage for medical, dental, and vision. Relocation assistance to the Los Angeles area is available for the right candidate to support a smooth transition to the role. This position is based in the United States and requires authorization to work in the country due to the regulated nature of the work.