Satellite Operations Engineer

Loft Orbital; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbitworks in Abu Dhabi seeks a Satellite Operations Software Engineer to join the team responsible for the end-to-end operations, automation, and support of satellite programs. You will work across software, hardware, and operational interfaces to enable robust mission outcomes from design through orbit.

You will develop CONOPS, interact with customers, create mission procedures, and participate in on-call rotations as Satellite Controller/Flight Director, while advancing internal tools like

Qualifications

• Experience interacting with and managing customers.
• Strong background in satellite operations and/or EO imagery data products.
• Willingness to train as Satellite Controller/Flight Director, including commissioning and on-call rotation.
• Proven software development or scripting experience with automation skills.

Responsibilities

• Understand and develop CONOPS for operational planning and execution.
• Interface with customers prior to and during mission deployment.
• Create and maintain mission plans, schedules, operations procedures, and data workflows.
• Execute satellite operations and participate in on-call rotation as Satellite Controller/Flight Director.
• Configure and set up tools for satellite mission operations (Python procedures, Grafana dashboards).
• Contribute to improvement of internal mission control software ‘Cockpit’.
• Assess and resolve in-orbit anomalies and maintain satellite performance.
• Develop automation for ground and space-based operations using Python, Lua, and CUE.

Skills

Python

Git

Automation

Satellite operations

Tools

Grafana

Cockpit

Job description

As a Satellite Operations Software Engineer, you will be a key contributor to the development, automation, and operation of Orbitworks’ satellite programs.

This is a hand on satellite operations role combined with software development and systems engineering to ensure mission success from design to orbit.

You will work across the full stack software, hardware, and operational interfaces to deliver robust, scalable solutions that support satellite commissioning, nominal operations, and anomaly resolution.

About this Role:

• Understand and develop customer Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for operational planning and execution
• Interface with customers prior to and during mission deployment
• Create and maintain mission plans, schedules, operational procedures, and data workflows
• Execute satellite operations, including participating in the on-call rotation as Satellite Controller/Flight Director
• Configure and set up tools for satellite mission operations, including Python procedures, Grafana dashboards for telemetry monitoring, and contribution to improvement and development of internal mission control software ‘Cockpit’
• Assess & resolve in-orbit anomalies, and maintain overall satellite performance including adherence to all relevant SLAs
• Develop automation for both ground and space-based operations, using Python, Lua, and CUE-based scripting
• Support test campaigns with a ‘test-as-you-fly’ philosophy, by developing procedures and tools for both AIT and flight operations

Must Haves:

• Experience interacting with and managing customers
• Strong background in satellite operations and/or experience working with downstream EO imagery data products
• Willingness to train as a Satellite Controller/Flight Director, including commissioning and on-call rotation
• Proven software development or scripting experience, with strong automation skills
• Proficiency in Python and Git
• Pragmatic mindset with ability to balance short- and long-term operational goals
• High accountability, autonomy, and ownership in delivering results
• Openness to learning and working outside comfort zones in a fast-paced environment

Nice to Haves:

• Strong understanding of the end-to-end satellite imagery value chain
• Experience working with defence customers
• Experience with Airbus satellite platforms (Arrow-150 bus) in Avionics, ADCS, or propulsion
• Experience with LEO satellite operations and constellation management
• Background in satellite testing, AIT, validation and verification of complex systems
• Arabic language skills
• Proficiency in Lua and CUE

Orbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.