Ground Software & Systems Manager

Protingent; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Protingent Staffing seeks a Ground Software & Systems Manager in Berkeley, CA to lead mission operations software and ground systems integration. You will oversee real-time software environments and coordinate with NASA and subcontractors.

The role requires advanced systems engineering, IT infrastructure management, and leadership across hardware-software interfaces, with potential travel for troubleshooting and reviews.

Qualifications

• Expert-level, system-architecture knowledge of full-stack software design, development, and integration in real-time mission operations or high-availability environments.
• Proven leadership in resolving anomalies at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems integration in a real-time operational environment.
• Experience leading operations where continuous availability is a critical performance metric.
• Experience with IT infrastructure management and architecture, including containers (Docker), virtualization, and failover strategies.

Responsibilities

• Mission Operations and Ground Systems Engineering: maintain hardware and software connecting the Mission Operations Center to ground networks; supervise Ground Station facility.
• Advanced Software Programming: develop complex software; integrate tools; oversee encryption with space assets.
• Designs, develops, modifies, and evaluates software and supporting hardware for complex, mission-wide impact; evolve multiple Mission Operations Centers.
• Partner Support: assist NASA reviews; lead presentations; travel for troubleshooting hardware/software.
• NASA and Mission Collaboration: provide subject‑matter expertise on Mission Operations System ground systems for partner reviews.
• Technical Oversight and Compliance: ensure requirements within schedule and budget; provide design/verification data to NASA.

Skills

Real-time systems

System architecture

Leadership

Anomaly resolution

IT infrastructure management

Docker

Cloud vs on-prem

Mentoring/management

Education

Advanced degree

Tools

Docker

Virtualization

Cloud infrastructure

Job description

Position Title

Ground Software & Systems Manager

Job Description

Protingent Staffing has an exciting Direct Hire Ground Software & Systems Manager opportunity located in Berkeley, CA.

Responsibilities

• Mission Operations and Ground Systems Engineering: Ultimately responsible for maintaining both the hardware and software that connects the Mission Operations Center to third-party ground station networks around the world. Supervises and maintains the Ground Station facility (hardware and software).
• Advanced Software Programming (e.g., C, C++, Python, etc.): Performs the most complex and advanced software programming in the Mission Operations System. Develops custom unique code, or code that integrates software tools with commercial or government‑furnished tools. Oversees two‑way encryption with space assets.
• Systems Design and Development: Designs, develops, modifies, and evaluates software and supporting hardware for functional areas that are highly complex and have broad, mission‑wide impact. Helps maintain and evolve the multi‑mission Mission Operations Center, as well as the Backup Mission Operations Center Program.
• Partner Support: Supports the flight mission's Program Manager, Systems Engineer, and Mission Operations leads at meetings with NASA and subcontractors as the lead presenter. Travels for troubleshooting of hardware and software systems as required.
• NASA and Mission Collaboration: Supports all NASA reviews and ongoing meetings with spacecraft partners (across all missions) as the subject matter expert on Mission Operations System ground systems.
• Technical Oversight and Compliance: Works with spacecraft management to meet technical requirements within schedule and budget. Revises the design and verification as needed. Provides all design and verification data to NASA for integration with the spacecraft.

Qualifications

• Expert‑level, system‑architect knowledge of full‑stack software design, development, and integration in real‑time mission operations or comparable high‑availability environments.
• Proven leadership in resolving anomalies at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems integration in a real‑time operational environment.
• Experience leading operations where continuous availability ("up‑time") is a critical performance metric.
• Experience with IT infrastructure management and architecture, including containers (e.g., Docker), virtualization, cloud vs. on‑prem tradeoffs, and failover strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise technical staff, set work objectives, and manage project deliverables.
• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Job Details

• Job Type: Direct Hire
• Location: Berkeley, CA
• Salary Range: $135,000 – $220,000 per year
• ITAR obligations are associated with this role, U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(1), (3) is required.