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Head of Software

Picogrid· Engineering
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El Segundo, CA$220k - $270kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Head of Software at Picogrid responsible for building and scaling the software engineering organization, shaping team structure, hiring, and delivering end-to-end software across backend platforms, real-time geospatial UIs, hardware-software integration, and operator-facing command-and-control systems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the team's growth, people management, and strategic planning across all layers of the Picogrid software stack.
  • Collaborate with the CTO, the Lead Software Engineer, Product Owners, and Engineering Managers to produce plans and strategy to handle the product and customer development goals.
  • Act as the primary interface between Software Engineering and all other functions (Go-To-Market, Hardware, and Operations) ensuring software delivers real operational impact for users in the field.
  • Represent the company in external conversations with strategic partners and customers.
  • Participate in yearly, quarterly, and monthly planning cycles. Contribute to the development of the product roadmap.
  • As the founding leader of the Software Engineering Department, you will hire, mentor, and build a high-performing team of engineers across backend, frontend, 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.

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.
  • Strong inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to grow people.
  • 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.

Skills

Required:Leadership and people managementSoftware architecture and systems designProgramming languagesFrontend and UI developmentCommunication and cross-functional collaboration

Benefits

  • Base salary range: $220,000 – $320,000 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
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
  • 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
Last updated Sep 27, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Picogrid

Integrated Systems for Modern Missions

Picogrid delivers integrated systems for modern missions, connecting sensors, platforms, and operators across land, sea, air, and space.

C2bessemer-ai-infrastructure-2026defenseedge-to-cloudinference-inflection-pointintegrationopen APIpublic safety
Company profileWebsite

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