Ground Software Solutions Engineer

Cerebras; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible PTO

Health Savings (HSA)

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) / Equity options

Relocation assistance

Catered lunches

Job summary

Loft Orbital is seeking a Software Engineer to join our Ground Software Solutions team in SF. You will own and extend Cockpit, build automation for missions, and troubleshoot live operations across multiple programs.

The stack includes Python, Django, GraphQL, Kubernetes, Cue, and C++; you’ll collaborate with product and solutions teams to deliver reliable space missions. This role emphasizes hands-on work with real-time issues, SatDevOps training, and opportunities to impact both physical and

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in software engineering, systems integration, or satellite-operations automation with ownership.
• Strong Python experience building automation, tooling, services, or workflows.
• Experience with Git in a collaborative environment including reviews and history.
• Ability to troubleshoot root causes and drive resolution across components.
• Experience with Docker and containerized development/deployment workflows.
• Experience across multiple technical components or teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain Ground Procedures, Configurations and Automation software.
• Design and implement features within Cockpit for diverse missions.
• Work with Solutions and Product teams to ensure smooth integration.
• Troubleshoot integration issues during development and operations.
• Participate in Satellite Operations and support Spacecraft Commissioning.

Skills

Python

Git

C++

Automation

Troubleshooting

Cross-team collaboration

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Django

GraphQL

Cue

GitLab CI/CD

Job description

Wanna join the adventure?

Loft Orbital is looking for a Software Engineer to join our Ground Software Solutions team.

About the Team:

The Ground Software Solutions Team develops and maintains custom ground software capabilities for our customers. We configure and extend Cockpit (Loft's Mission Control and Scheduling Software) for specific program needs, deliver custom features to support mission deployment and execution, and help ensure smooth operations by connecting product capabilities with mission-specific needs. We also drive product improvement by providing operational feedback and collaborating closely with Product teams.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting edge technology, helping build modern automated infrastructure, bringing software and space together. As well as developing our future systems, the role will also be working on real-time issues on live missions, helping to solve problems as they occur. On top of this we also offer SatDevOps training to enable this person to actually operate our spacecraft!

Some technical information about the position

The stack we are using: Python, Django, GraphQL, Kubernetes, Cue, C++

About the Role:

• Own and maintain Ground Procedures, Configurations and Automation software tailored to specific programs and missions
• Design and implement non-recurring features within Cockpit to support both Physical and Virtual Missions customers
• Work closely with other Solutions teams and Software Product teams to ensure smooth integration and improve products.
• Help troubleshoot software integration issues found during development as well as during end to end testing, commissioning and operations.
• Participate actively in Satellite Operations and support Spacecraft Commissioning - Everyone is involved!

Must Haves:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in software engineering, systems integration, or satellite-operations automation with meaningful software development ownership.
• Strong Python experience, including building maintainable automation, tooling, services, or operational workflows—not just one-off scripts.
• Experience using Git in a collaborative engineering environment, including branching, code review, and maintaining changes over time.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot software and integration issues by isolating root causes, evaluating trade-offs, and driving problems to resolution.
• Experience with Docker and containerized development or deployment workflows.
• Experience working across multiple technical components or teams.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience developing software for satellite ground systems, mission operations, spacecraft operations, telemetry, commanding, mission planning, or other operationally critical systems.
• Experience with software integration across services, tools, configurations, APIs, or hardware/software interfaces.
• Familiarity with satellite scheduling, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, or spacecraft operations.
• Experience with GitLab CI/CD, automated testing, regression testing, or integration-test tooling.
• Familiarity with backend services and operational technologies such as Django, GraphQL, Kubernetes, C++, Cue, or Linux.

Some of Our Awesome Benefits:

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
• Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
• 100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan and equity options
• Daily catered lunches and snacks in office
• International exposure to our team in France
• Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
• Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
• Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
• Relocation assistance when applicable

*Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes.

Who We Are

Loft: Space Made Simple.

Founded in 2017, Loft provides governments, companies, and research institutions with a fast, reliable, and simple way to deploy missions in orbit.

We integrate, launch, and operate spacecraft, offering end-to-end missions as a service across Earth observation, IoT connectivity, on-orbit AI, national security missions, and more. Leveraging our existing space infrastructure and an extensive inventory of satellite buses, Loft is reducing years-long integration and launch timelines to months. With more than 30 missions flown, Loft’s flight heritage and proven technologies enable customers to focus on their mission objectives.

With a growing fleet on track to reach 30 satellites by 2027, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France to meet accelerating demand for space infrastructure.

As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.

120000 - 170000 USD a year

State law requires us to tell you the base compensation range for this role, which is $120,000- $170,000 per year. This is determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is intentionally wide as we evaluate individuals based on their unique experience and abilities to fit our needs. Most importantly, we are excited to meet you, and see if you are a great fit for our team. What we can't quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.