Satellite Operations Software Engineer

Loft Orbital; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbitworks is seeking a Satellite Operations Software Engineer to join the team in Abu Dhabi. You will contribute to development, automation, and operation of satellite programs, spanning ground and space-based systems from design to orbit.

You will participate in on-call rotations, configure tools, support commissioning and nominal operations, and develop automation to ensure mission success and reliability.

Qualifications

• Experience in satellite operations and complex systems management.
• Willingness to train as Satellite Controller/Flight Director.
• Proven software development experience with strong automation skills.
• Ability to work across full hardware/software stack (ground/space).
• Proficiency in Python and Git.
• High accountability and ownership in delivering results.
• Comfort with scripting for automation and mission operations.

Responsibilities

• Execute satellite operations, including on-call rotation as Satellite Controller/Flight Director.
• Configure and set up tools for programs, including procedures and dashboards.
• Configure systems for commissioning and nominal operations.
• Handle anomalies and maintain space infrastructure performance.
• Develop automation for both ground and space-based operations.
• Script mission performance and cockpit configurations, preferably in Python.
• Validate and verify tools used in satellite operations.
• Support test campaigns prior to and during launch.
• Interface with customers prior to and during mission deployment.

Skills

Satellite operations

Software development

Automation

Python

Git

Job description

Wanna join the adventure?

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:

• Execute satellite operations, including participating in the on-call rotation as Satellite Controller/Flight Director.
• Configure and set up tools for programs, including procedures, dashboards, subschedules, resolvers, and auto-pilot plans.
• Configure systems for commissioning and nominal operations.
• Handle anomalies and maintain overall space infrastructure performance.
• Develop automation for both ground and space-based operations.
• Script mission performance and cockpit configurations, preferably in Python.
• Validate and verify tools used in satellite operations.
• Support test campaigns prior to and during launch.
• Apply the “Test as We Fly” methodology for all mission-critical systems.
• Understand customer CONOPS for operational planning and execution.
• Interface with customers prior to and during mission deployment.

Must Haves:

• Strong background in satellite operations and complex systems management.
• Willingness to train as a Satellite Controller/Flight Director, including commissioning and on-call rotation.
• Proven software development experience with strong automation skills.
• Ability to work across full hardware/software stack (ground-based, space-based, and interface systems).
• 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 environmentScripting experience for automation and mission operations.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with Airbus satellite platforms (Arrow-150 bus) in avionics, ADCS, or propulsion.
• Experience with LEO satellite operations and constellation management.
• Experience interacting with and managing customers.
• Background in satellite testing, AIT, validation and verification of complex systems.
• Arabic language skills or willingness to learn.

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.