Senior Ground Software Engineer

E-Space; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

E-Space is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join our Ground Software team, focusing on mission-critical Python-based back-end systems that operate a growing satellite constellation. You will design, implement, and scale real-time data ingestion pipelines, microservices, and cloud deployments using Kubernetes, AWS, and modern Python frameworks.

This role blends leadership with hands-on coding across the full software lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of backend software engineering experience building scalable systems for telemetry ingestion and real-time data processing.
• Experience with microservices, message queues, gRPC, and protobufs.
• Expert Python skills with FastAPI, Pydantic, SQLAlchemy and async programming.
• Familiarity with CCSDS protocols or space communication standards encouraged.
• Hands-on Kubernetes in production and cloud deployments.
• Strong knowledge of AWS and container-based deployments.
• Experience with CI/CD and observability tools.

Responsibilities

• Architect and scale a Python-based Ground Data System with microservices.
• Build binary protocol pipelines for CCSDS spacecraft communication.
• Own MQTT broker architecture and optimize throughput and QoS.
• Develop high-performance APIs for command and control operations.
• Create workflow orchestration for automated satellite procedures.
• Integrate with ground station networks and cloud data pipelines.
• Enforce DevOps practices including code reviews and testing standards.
• Collaborate with Flight Software, Payload, and Mission Operations teams.

Skills

Backend engineering

Microservices

Python

Asyncio

AWS

CI/CD

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL

gRPC/Protobufs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Kubernetes

Terraform

Docker

Kafka/MQTT

InfluxDB/TimescaleDB

PostgreSQL

Git

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then youve come to the right place!

E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of space-powered Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are fundamentally changing the design, economics, manufacturing, coverage limitations and service deliveryassociated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

By building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system—with a unique antenna design, highly sustainable spacecraft system and low-cost, small portable end-user devices—we can extend global satellite coverage, capacity and connectivity beyond legacy space services to provide a new kind of IoT platform that lets users sense, track, connect and act on information gathered, anywhere.

Were intentional, were unapologetically curious and were 100% committed to saving space, protecting our planet and turning connectivity into actionable intelligence.

What is the role?

E-Space is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join our Ground Software team. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to build the mission-critical software that powers our satellite constellation operations. You will develop highly available, highly-scalable backend systems using Python in an API-first, event-driven architecture deployed in the cloud using containerized solutions.

Working on greenfield projects, you\'ll be responsible for the entire software development lifecycle—from system design and architecture to hands-on coding and infrastructure implementation. This role combines technical leadership with deep engineering work, making foundational decisions that will scale with our growing constellation.

What you will be doing:

• Architect and scale a Python-based Ground Data Systemdesigning microservices that handle real-time command uplink, telemetry downlink, and event processing across a growing constellation
• Build binary protocol pipelinesfor CCSDS-compliant spacecraft communication, including TC/TM framing, CFDP file transfers, and AES encryption/decryption
• Own the messaging infrastructure to evaluate andoptimizeMQTT broker architecture, andquantify performance bottlenecks (MQTT throughput,QoS tuning,database writes, CPU-bound encoding/decoding)
• Build high-performance APIs for mission-critical command and control operations
• Create workflow orchestration systems for automated satellite and ground procedures
• Integrate with ground station networks and cloudinfrastructure to develop scalable data ingestion and processing pipelines for high-rate satellite telemetry and command streams
• Establish software engineering and DevOps best practices including code reviews, testing standards, and architectural guidelines
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Flight Software, Payload, and Mission Operations Teams

What you bring to the role:

• 5+ years of backend software engineering experience building scalable, fault-tolerant systems for telemetry ingestion, command & control, or real-time data processing at scale
• Proficiency with microservices architecture, message queues, gRPC, and protobufs
• Expert Python skills with experience withmodern frameworks (FastAPI,Pydantic,SQLAlchemy), asynchronous programming(asyncio, threading),API development
• Knowledge ofCCSDS protocols (TC, TM, CFDP) or willingness to learn space communication standards quickly
• Time-series databases (InfluxDB,TimescaleDB, or similar at high ingest rates)
• Kubernetes production experience (HPA, resource management, networking, debugging pods at scale)Experience designing and implementing event-driven architectures and workflow orchestration systems
• Solid understanding of AWS services, PostgreSQL, and container-based deployment solutions
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and modern software development practices
• Experience with message bus systems (Kafka, MQTT) and in-memory databases for real-time data processing
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (Terraform/OpenTofu), monitoring/observability tools, and high-availability system design
• Experience with high-throughput data processing and performance optimization for mission-critical applications
• Strong system design skills with ability to make architectural decisions for scalable distributed systems

Bonus Points for the following:

• Bachelor\'s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent
• Experience with Kubernetes and container orchestration platforms
• Knowledge of time-series databases
• Background insatellite operations,mission control systems,aerospace, defense, or other mission-critical industries
• Grafana/observability stack for distributed systems monitoringStrong intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning
• Exceptional attention to detail and an ownership mentality

We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used—so were looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If thats your experience then well be immediately wow-ed.

The estimated base salary range for this role is $130,000-200,000 per year. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position in question, which is based on market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on location, skills and expertise, depth of relevant experience, and other relevant factors. For questions about this, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply for the role and are selected for an interview.

Why E-Space is right for you:

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. Thats why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

An opportunity to really make a difference

Sustainability at our core

Fair and honest workplace

Innovative thinking is encouraged

Competitive salaries

Continuous learning and development

Health and wellness care options

Financial solutions for the future