Ground Software & Systems Manager – Mission Operations (0346U), Space Sciences Laboratory - #87786

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

The Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley seeks a Ground Software & Systems Manager to lead the mission operations software and hardware for spacecraft communications.

You will supervise engineering staff, collaborate with NASA and ground station providers, and ensure secure, scalable operations across multiple missions. This is an on-site role based in Berkeley, CA with opportunities to advance cutting-edge space science.

Qualifications

• Expertise in full‑stack software for satellite ground systems, including encryption and anomaly resolution.
• Experience interfacing with IT assets and ground-system networks (Docker, VMs, cloud, failover).
• Proven ability to work with ground station providers worldwide.
• Experience supervising staff and defining objectives.

Responsibilities

• Maintain hardware and software connecting the Berkeley Mission Operations Center to third‑party ground networks worldwide.
• Supervise and maintain the Berkeley Ground Station facility (hardware and software).
• Perform advanced software programming (C, C++, Python) in the Mission Operations System.
• Design, develop, modify and evaluate software and supporting hardware for mission operations with broad impact.
• Support NASA reviews and meetings with spacecraft partners as lead presenter.
• Travel to troubleshoot hardware and software systems as required.
• Provide design and verification data to NASA for integration with spacecraft.

Skills

Full-stack satellite software

Staff supervision

Ground station integration

Security and encryption

Education

Advanced degree in a related field

Post-graduate coursework (preferred)

Tools

Docker

Virtual Machines

Cloud vs on-prem infrastructure

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

Departmental Overview

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

Position Summary

The Mission Operations Team at the Space Sciences Lab operates multiple NASA science spacecraft and is funded to operate additional ones through this decade and beyond. This position serves as the Ground Software & Systems Manager and leads the team that manages all hardware and software in the mission operations system used to communicate with spacecraft. The Ground Software & Systems Manager – Mission Operations oversees interactions with various government and commercial ground station providers, the Berkeley Ground Station, and NASA's TDRSS and Deep Space Network. This position ensures the laboratory remains at the bleeding edge of technology and leads junior engineers in executing ambitious science goals.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: August 18, 2026. This position will remain open until filled.

Responsibilities

Mission Operations and Ground Systems Engineering

• Ultimately responsible for maintaining both the hardware and software that connect the Berkeley Mission Operations Center to third-party ground station networks around the world.
• Supervises and maintains the Berkeley 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 at the Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL).
• Develops custom code unique to the SSL, or code that integrates SSL 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 a broad, mission-wide impact.
• Helps maintain and evolve the multi-mission Mission Operations Center at SSL and the Backup Mission Operations Center on the main campus.

Program and 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 to troubleshoot 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.
• Responsible for supervising at least 2 FTE, including professional engineers, technicians, and students.

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.

Required Qualifications

• Expert-level (system architect) knowledge (full stack) of software/applications programming relevant to all parts of a satellite ground systems network. This includes experience with space asset encryption and anomaly resolution.
• Experience working with IT people and assets (hardware and software) that interface with space ground systems network and Mission Operations Center (e.g., dockers, virtual machines, use of cloud vs. on-prem, failover scenarios, etc.)
• Experience working with Ground Station providers. This position will require engaging with providers worldwide (both commercial and government) to develop the hardware or software capabilities needed to interface with these other provider networks.
• Skills in supervising staff and establishing work objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the latest software and hardware advances in the field as a means to keep UCB SSL at a competitive edge in the industry, and/or the ability to learn.

Education / Training

• Advanced degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training
• Post-graduate level course work in a related area (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website. Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $190,000.00 - $238,000.00. The full pay scale for this classification is $142,400.00 - $279,400.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is an on-site position at the Space Sciences Laboratory in Berkeley, CA.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” Means Any Violation Of The Policies Or Laws Governing Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Or Laws Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Discrimination, Dishonesty, Or Unethical Conduct, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.