Edge Computing Software Engineer, Earth Observation

Open Cosmos; Harwell; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Cosmos is seeking a Software Engineer to join the Data division to turn ground-based image processing into efficient, reliable code that runs within the power, memory and heat limits of space. You will build pipelines on Nvidia Jetson boards, adapt algorithms for orbit, and work with GPU acceleration while ensuring data quality and consistency.

You will collaborate with Flight Software, Systems and Operations, balancing mission requirements with hardware capabilities, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Proficient Python for data processing and clean, testable code.
• Experience with embedded Linux and ARM-based hardware.
• Experience with GPU computing and CUDA on NVIDIA platforms.
• Ability to profile and optimize code on constrained hardware.
• Experience turning scientific code into production software.
• Understanding power, memory, storage and heat constraints in space software.
• Experience designing data pipelines and metadata standards.
• Familiarity with geospatial libraries like GDAL, Rasterio, NumPy, Xarray.
• Strong testing, version control and code review habits.
• Clear communication of technical trade-offs to engineers and non-engineers alike.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain data processing pipelines on satellite Nvidia Jetson computers.
• Adapt ground-based image processing algorithms to run in orbit with consistent results.
• Speed up processing with GPU acceleration and profile on ARM/GPU hardware.
• Collaborate with ground-based Data Software Engineer to ensure orbit/ground parity.
• Incorporate quality checks so satellite data is customer-ready.
• Define data and metadata standards for on-board and ground outputs.
• Develop, test and deploy data workflows in embedded Linux with version control.
• Experiment with new processing techniques and data types for onboard workflows.
• Coordinate with Flight Software, Systems and Operations teams and payload partners to balance mission needs.

Skills

Python

Embedded Linux

ARM hardware

CUDA

GPU acceleration

Data pipelines

Code profiling

Code debugging

Production software

Communication

Tools

NVIDIA Jetson

GDAL

Rasterio

NumPy

Xarray

Job description

At Open Cosmos we are solving the world's biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on…

Working in our Data Division

At Open Cosmos, our Data division transforms satellite data into meaningful insights that drive real-world impact. The team delivers all data products generated by Open Cosmos and its partners, curates and develops DataCosmos (our geospatial data platform) and builds integrations that make satellite imagery easy to access and act on.

We are now looking for a Software Engineer to join our Data team and turn ground-based image processing into efficient, reliable code that runs within the tight limits of power, memory and heat in space.

What will you be doing?

• Building and maintaining the data processing pipelines that run on our satellites' Nvidia Jetson computers.
• Taking image processing algorithms that already work on the ground and adapting them to run in orbit, with the same results.
• Speeding up processing with GPU acceleration, and profiling and debugging code on ARM and GPU hardware.
• Working closely with our ground-based Data Software Engineer, so improvements made in orbit also benefit the ground, and the other way round.
• Building quality checks into the pipeline, so the data leaving the satellite is ready for customers.
• Setting and maintaining data and metadata standards so on-board and ground outputs stay consistent.
• Building, testing and deploying data workflows in embedded Linux, with solid testing and version control.
• Trying out new processing techniques and data types, and bringing the best ones into our on-board workflows.
• Working with our Flight Software, Systems and Operations teams, and with payload partners, to balance mission needs against what the hardware can do.

What You'll bring

• Strong Python skills for data processing, and clean, testable, maintainable code.
• Hands-on experience with embedded Linux and ARM-based hardware.
• Experience with GPU computing and performance optimisation, such as CUDA on Nvidia platforms.
• Confidence profiling, debugging and optimising code on constrained hardware.
• Experience turning scientific or analytical code into efficient production software.
• An understanding of how power, memory, storage and heat limits shape software design.
• Experience designing data pipelines, including data formats and metadata standards.
• Familiarity with geospatial or image data libraries such as GDAL, rasterio, numpy or Xarray.
• Good engineering habits: testing, version control and code review.
• Clear communication, and the ability to explain technical trade-offs to engineers and non-engineers alike.

This role can be based in any of our European Locations

you must have the legal right to work in our chosen location.

please submit your CV in English.

Why Open Cosmos?

• Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe
• A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges
• A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team

Equal opportunity employer

At Open Cosmos, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace built on respect, dignity, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively challenge bias to ensure every candidate and employee feels truly welcome. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.