Ground Software Engineer – Space Telemetry & CCSDS

Socket.dev; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions and critical operations.

The Ground Software Engineer will own components of the data path—from protocol implementation to real-time processing and deployment—working with DSP, FPGA, and network engineers to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, telecommunications, or related field.
• 2–5+ years of relevant software engineering experience.
• Strong programming skills in Rust, C++, or Go.
• Experience with networking, real-time data processing, and distributed systems.
• Solid understanding of network protocols, binary data formats, and asynchronous processing.
• Production software ownership from design through deployment.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain software for ingesting, processing, and routing telemetry, tracking, and command data.
• Implement and validate CCSDS protocols and space packet/frame handling.
• Develop high-performance data pipelines linking SDRs, ground-stations, and customer endpoints.
• Build tooling for parsing, validation, buffering, recording, replay, monitoring, and debugging.
• Translate mission requirements into configurable data-handling workflows.
• Collaborate with DSP/FPGA teams to define interfaces between physical-layer processing and software.
• Test workflows using simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and live satellite data.
• Own software through development, deployment, and operational support.

Skills

Rust

C++

Go

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE/related field

Job description

Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions and critical operations.

The Ground Software Engineer will own components of the data path—from protocol implementation to real-time processing and deployment—working with DSP, FPGA, and network engineers to deliver