Ground Systems Engineer

Astro Digital; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Digital is seeking a Network Engineer to design, integrate, and maintain the digital backbone linking our satellites to mission control. You will collaborate with GSaaS providers, Satellite Operations, IT, and Ground Software teams to ensure secure, automated telemetry, tracking, and command and payload data flows.

The ideal candidate has deep Linux experience, strong scripting skills (Python preferred), and hands-on practice with VPNs, IPsec, firewalls, and REST/gRPC services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in a technical field or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 4+ years designing networked ground systems or IT infrastructure.
• Strong Linux and scripting skills, Python preferred.
• Solid TCP/IP, VPNs, firewalls, and secure networking knowledge.
• Experience with IPsec VPN, AWS Direct Connect, and Wireshark.
• Experience integrating RESTful APIs or gRPC services.
• Familiarity with ground modems, SDRs, GNU Radio, or signal processing.
• Ability to work independently and with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Architect, integrate, and maintain the digital backbone linking satellites to mission control.
• Collaborate with GSaaS providers, Satellite Ops, IT, and Ground Software teams.
• Ensure secure, automated TT&C and payload data flows.
• Compile and maintain ICDs; translate requirements into actionable configs.
• Troubleshoot network, software, and data-flow issues during passes.
• Act as COMSEC and network security contact, managing keys and encryption.
• Work with SDRs and software modems to ensure signal processing pipelines.

Skills

Linux proficiency

Python scripting

TCP/IP networking

VPNs

Firewalls

IPsec VPN

AWS Direct Connect

Wireshark

RESTful APIs

gRPC

Ground station integration

SDRs

GNU Radio

Cloud AWS/GCP

Documentation

Education

B.S./M.S. in CS/CE/EE/IT or related field

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS/GCP

Direct Connect

Job description

Network Engineer (Satellite Ground Systems)

Remote

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado.

Position Summary

As a Ground Systems Engineer focusing on networking and software, your primary role will be to architect, integrate, and maintain the digital backbone connecting our satellites to our mission control. You will work directly with external Ground Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS) providers, Satellite Operations, IT, and Ground Software teams. Your goal is to ensure seamless, secure, and automated telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) and payload data flows.The ability to gather information from teammates, hold a well-formed mental picture of complex network topologies and software architectures, and synthesize these inputs into a robust, scalable system is crucial.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Provider Integration: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external ground station providers (e.g., Leaf Space, RBC Signals, KSAT Lite, AWS Ground Station), managing API integrations, software configurations, and operational nuances.
• Network Architecture: Design, implement, and maintain secure network topologies (VPNs, IPsec tunnels, cloud routing, firewall rules) between global ground station networks, cloud infrastructure, and mission control.
• Data Flow Management: Manage the software and network bring-up of new ground stations, coordinating end-to-end data flow testing, packet routing, and characterization with Satellite Operations.
• Systems Engineering: Compile and maintain ground segment Interface Control Documents (ICDs) from different providers; translate these requirements into actionable software configurations for the ground and operations teams.
• Troubleshooting: Provide the first line of defense for network, software, and data-flow issues during satellite passes (ranging from minor packet loss to complete operational halting).
• Security: Act as the communications security (COMSEC) and network security point of contact, ensuring secure data transit (encryption in transit/rest) and managing authentication/keys across providers.
• Modem & Radio Software Integration: Work with software-defined radios (SDRs) and commercially available software modems to ensure compatibility and reliable signal processing pipelines.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field — or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 4+ years of experience in system design, focusing on network engineering, ground software, or IT infrastructure.
• Strong proficiency in Linux-based operating systems and command-line environments.
• Proficiency in at least one scripting language (Python heavily preferred) for automation and API interaction.
• Solid understanding of network engineering fundamentals (TCP/IP, UDP, VPNs, routing, firewalls, and secure networking).
• Hands-on experience with IPsec VPN tunnels, AWS Direct Connect, and packet-level troubleshooting with Wireshark.
• Experience integrating and interacting with RESTful APIs or gRPC services.
• Familiarity with commercially available ground modems, SDRs, or signal processing frameworks (e.g., GNU Radio, Kratos, qRadio).
• Desire to define and solve problems independently, tempered with experience to know when to seek input.
• Ability to listen carefully, decipher meaning, avoid preconceptions, ignore ego, and work with a team towards the best design possible within given constraints.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a dedication to carefully documenting network topologies and software architectures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience integrating and operating with commercial GSaaS providers (KSAT, Leaf Space, RBC Signals, etc.).
• Familiarity with satellite communications protocols and space data standards (e.g., CCSDS).
• Experience with Cloud environments (AWS, GCP) and Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Docker).
• Ham radio operator, enthusiast, or a strong fundamental understanding of RF concepts as they relate to software and networking.

Work Location

Hybrid (San Jose, CA or Littleton, CO)

Range (based on experience of the candidate): $140,000 - $200,000

Physical Demands

This position is primarily desk-based, involving extensive computer work. Occasional light lifting (up to 20 lbs) may be required when handling standard IT or server equipment. Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching may be required in an office or server room environment.

Export Statement

This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 22 CFR §120.15 and 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.