Ground Software Engineer: Real-Time Space Data Pipelines

Northwood Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space is seeking a Ground Software Engineer to develop software that ingests, processes, and delivers mission data across our satellite ground network. You will implement CCSDS protocols, build high-performance data pipelines, and own components from development to deployment.

You will collaborate with DSP/FPGA teams to ensure robust interfaces between physical-layer processing and software, and you’ll test workflows with simulated and live satellite data to support missions globally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in CS/EE or related field.
• Strong programming skills in Rust, C++, or Go.
• Experience with networking, real-time data processing, or distributed systems.
• Solid understanding of network protocols and binary data formats.
• Ownership of a production software system from design to deployment.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain software for ingesting, processing, and routing telemetry, tracking, and command data.
• Implement and validate CCSDS protocols, including space packets, transfer frames, synchronization, and data encapsulation.
• Develop high-performance data pipelines connecting software-defined radios, ground-station infrastructure, and customer endpoints.
• Build tooling for packet parsing, frame validation, buffering, recording, replay, monitoring, and debugging.
• Translate customer mission requirements into configurable data-handling workflows and interfaces.
• Collaborate with DSP and FPGA engineers to define and validate the interfaces between physical-layer processing and higher-level communications software.
• Test communications workflows using simulated, hardware-in-the-loop, and live satellite data.
• Own software through development, deployment, operational validation, and ongoing mission support.

Skills

Rust

C++

Go

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE/related field

Job description

Northwood Space is seeking a Ground Software Engineer to develop software that ingests, processes, and delivers mission data across our satellite ground network. You will implement CCSDS protocols, build high-performance data pipelines, and own components from development to deployment.

You will collaborate with DSP/FPGA teams to ensure robust interfaces between physical-layer processing and software, and you’ll test workflows with simulated and live satellite data to support missions globally.