Manager, Software & Simulation Test Design

About this role

At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.   With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.  Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.  We are seeking an experienced and technically hands-on Manager, Software & Simulation Test Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary software teams developing mission-critical systems for lunar landers, spacecraft, and satellite platforms. This role oversees the development of flight software (FSW), ground software (GSW), mission operations software, and test software environments supporting spacecraft development, integration, verification, and mission operations. The ideal candidate combines strong technical leadership with deep systems-level understanding of aerospace software architectures, mission operations concepts, real-time embedded systems, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) infrastructure, and closed-loop integration and test (CIL) environments ensuring consistency, scalability, and reliability across global engineering teams. This individual will drive execution across the full software lifecycle while fostering agile engineering practices, scalable engineering processes, and a high-performing technical culture. This is not a role for someone who needs constant direction or is uncomfortable making informed decisions in a fast-moving environment; it is for a thoughtful, diligent leader who can balance independence with strong team partnership. For the right person, this is a chance to apply both strategic judgment and meticulous execution to work genuinely on the frontier of space development. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to space systems that will have global impact through lunar exploration, satellite communications, and next-generation space infrastructure applying both strategic judgment and meticulous execution to work genuinely on the frontier of space development.