Software and Satellite Operations Quality Assurance Engineer

Spire; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spire is seeking a Software Quality Engineer to join the Mission Assurance team in the UK, working at the intersection of software quality and in-orbit operations for the satellite constellation. You will own software QA across the development lifecycle and provide quality oversight to satellite operations during commissioning, operations and anomaly response, with a shift towards AI/ML tools over time.

The role requires collaboration with software and systems engineers and spacecraft operators

Qualifications

• BSc or MEng in a technical discipline.
• 3+ years in software QA, systems engineering, or mission assurance in a regulated industry.
• Experience contributing to investigations and fault finding of complex systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain software QA processes, standards, and acceptance criteria for onboard and ground segment software across the full development lifecycle.
• Ensure software verification and validation activities are comprehensive and correctly executed.
• Ensure the Software Development Lifecycle meets applicable quality requirements and standards.
• Lead anomaly investigations and root cause analyses to capture lessons learned.

Skills

Software QA

Regulated industry experience

Root cause analysis

Communication skills

Education

BSc or MEng in a technical discipline

Tools

Git

Issue tracking tools

Job description

We areseekinga skilled and motivated Software Quality Engineer to join our Mission Assurance team. This role sits at the intersection where software quality meets in-orbit operations, offering the opportunity to drive the operational performance of a satellite constellation. The role has twofacets, you will own software quality assurance activities across the development lifecycleand alsoprovide quality oversight to the teamoperatingour constellation of satellites during commissioning, operations, and anomaly response. As the company implements its development roadmap, the distinction between these two aspects will blur with satellite operations increasingly transitioning to automated AI/ML tools to manage the fleet.

The ideal candidate combines a rigorous, process-driven approach to software quality with an analytical mindset and operational awareness to allow them to ensure on-orbit anomalies are investigated and resolved effectively.

This is a broad remit, sopreviousexperience in both areas is notrequired. For example,a strong software QA background in a demanding industry (e.g. banking, medical, defence) willlikely alsohave developed the analytical mindset needed to investigate on orbit issues. You will work closely with a fantastic team of software engineers, systems engineers, technical experts and spacecraft operators to ensure that our software and satellites are fit for purpose and that deviations from expected behaviour are understood, reported, assessed, and resolved with sound engineering judgment.

WhatYou’llDo as Software &Satellite OperationsQuality Engineer: Software Quality Assurance (Primary Focus):

• Define andmaintainsoftware QA processes, standards, and acceptance criteria for onboard and ground segment software across the full development lifecycle.
• Ensure that software verification and validation activities are comprehensive and correctly executed.
• Ensure the Software Development Lifecycle meets applicable quality requirements and standards.
• Where situations require deviation from defined process, ensure that this is performed safely and in a controlled manner.
• Raise, track, and manage non-conformances, ensuring corrective and preventive actions areidentifiedand implemented effectively.
• Ensure risks areidentified,evaluatedand communicated effectively to the project and management team.
• Ensure thatthe software configuration baselineismaintainedthroughout development and mission lifetimes.
• Confirm all software releases are reviewed and compliant to standards.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g.ISO 29110, ECSS-Q-ST-80, ECSS-E-ST-40, orequivalent).

Satellite Operations (SatOps) Anomaly Support:

• Provide Mission Assurance support to satellite operations, especially during critical mission phases such as Checkout and Commissioning, In-OrbitVerificationand anomaly response.
• Lead and contribute to anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and failure review boards, ensuring findings are well-documented and lessons are captured.
• Ensure the mission impact of anomalies isassessedand operational workarounds, corrective actions and recovery steps areappropriate.
• Identifylinks between incidents and coordinate response to common anomalies across the fleet.
• Ensure lessons learned are fed back to satellite development teams using non-conformance and corrective action processes.
• Liaise with software development, systems engineering and satellite operations teams to continually improve satellite operations tooling, improving Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR), increasing automation and raising the availability of the satellite fleet through transition to AI/ML based systems.
• Serve as the mission assurance interface to the operations team, software engineers, and systems engineers during anomaly investigations and resolution.

Basic Qualifications:

• BSc or MEng in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in a software QA, systems engineering, or mission assurance role within a highly regulated industry (e.g. aerospace, defence, banking, medical).
• Proventrack recordof contributing to investigations and fault finding of complex systems.
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g. Git) and issue tracking tools.
• Understanding of software development lifecycles (Agile and/or waterfall) and associated QA activities.
• Clear and concise communicator, able to present technical findings to diverse audiences including management and non-specialist stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with FMEA, FDIR, hazard analysis, or other dependability and safety analysis methods.
• Experience with satellite operations or ground segment software in an operational environment.
• Experience supporting LEOP, commissioning, or in-orbit validation activities.
• Proficiencyin scripting or data analysis for telemetry analysis.
• Background in configuration management in a regulated engineering environment.
• Experience with failure review boards or anomaly resolution in an operational setting.
• Knowledge of relevant standards such asISO 29110, ECSS-Q-ST-80, ECSS-E-ST-40, or DO-178C.

Spire operates a hybrid work model, and this position will require you to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Access to US export-controlled software and/or technology may be required for this role. If needed, Spire will arrange the necessary licenses—this is not something candidates need to have before applying.

About Spire

We improve life on Earth with data from space.

Spire Global is a space-to-cloud analytics company that owns and operates the largest multi-purpose constellation of satellites. Its proprietary data and algorithms provide the most advanced maritime, aviation, and weather tracking in the world. In addition to its constellation, Spire’s data infrastructure includes a global ground station network and 24/7 operations that provide real-time global coverage of every point on Earth.

Spire is Global and our success draws upon the diverse viewpoints, skills and experiences of our employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.

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