Senior Ground Software Engineer

Suna Solutions; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 218,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Equity Participation

401(k) Retirement Plan

Company Events & Team Outings

100% onsite position

U.S. Citizenship required

TS/SCI clearance eligible

Job summary

Suna Solutions in Torrance, CA seeks a Senior Ground Software Engineer to own the ground software stack for autonomous spacecraft operations. You will handle data ingestion, telemetry pipelines, and visualization tools, coordinating with flight software, avionics, and testing teams to ensure reliable ground operations.

The role emphasizes end-to-end ownership from design through testing, with a focus on reliability, scalability, and secure handling of high-rate data in a high-stakes aerospace

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Physics, or related technical discipline.
• Experience developing ground software, mission operations systems, or spacecraft telemetry and command systems.
• Experience designing and building data infrastructure, including databases, time-series data stores, streaming pipelines, or message buses.
• Experience developing data visualization and analysis tools for technical or engineering applications.
• Experience working with space systems such as satellites, spacecraft, rovers, or launch vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop ground control software for commanding and monitoring spacecraft during flight operations and ground testing.
• Own data infrastructure responsible for ingesting, storing, and serving high-rate telemetry and test data reliably and at scale.
• Build advanced data visualization and analysis tools that provide real-time and post-test insights into spacecraft performance.
• Develop robust telemetry pipelines supporting live streaming data and large historical datasets, with a strong focus on reliability and data integrity.
• Collaborate with flight software and avionics engineers to define command and telemetry interfaces that simplify integration and minimize operational risk.
• Develop tools that accelerate data analysis, anomaly detection, and post-test reconstruction.
• Support real-time spacecraft operations during testing and flight activities, including console responsibilities as needed.
• Create and maintain technical documentation for ground software systems, interfaces, and operational procedures.
• Partner with test and integration teams to ensure ground systems are reliable, testable, and maintainable.
• Troubleshoot and resolve challenges involving data flow, system observability, and integration across spacecraft and test infrastructure.

Skills

Python

C++

Go

Rust

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Physics, or related technical discipline

Tools

Databases

Time-series stores

Streaming pipelines

Message buses

Cloud platforms

DevOps

Claude AI tools

Job description

Build the Ground Systems That Power the Future of Space

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Compensation: $217,500 – $247,500 annually

Work Arrangement: Torrance, CA 90501 (100% Onsite | No Remote or Hybrid Options)

Security Clearance: U.S. Citizenship Required; Must Hold or Be Eligible to Obtain an Active TS/SCI Clearance

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Ground Software Engineer to help develop the next generation of autonomous spacecraft and mission-critical orbital control systems.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of the ground software infrastructure that commands spacecraft, monitors real-time operations, captures high-rate telemetry, and transforms complex data into actionable engineering insights.

You will work across the full ground software stack, from low-level data ingestion and telemetry pipelines to mission control interfaces and advanced visualization tools. Working closely with flight software, avionics, test, and integration teams, you will play a critical role in ensuring reliable spacecraft operations from ground testing through flight.

If you thrive in a fast-paced engineering environment, enjoy solving complex technical challenges, and want to make a direct impact on next-generation space systems, this role offers an exceptional

What You'll Do

• Design and develop ground control software for commanding and monitoring spacecraft during flight operations and ground testing.
• Own data infrastructure responsible for ingesting, storing, and serving high-rate telemetry and test data reliably and at scale.
• Build advanced data visualization and analysis tools that provide real-time and post-test insights into spacecraft performance.
• Develop robust telemetry pipelines supporting live streaming data and large historical datasets, with a strong focus on reliability and data integrity.
• Collaborate with flight software and avionics engineers to define command and telemetry interfaces that simplify integration and minimize operational risk.
• Develop tools that accelerate data analysis, anomaly detection, and post-test reconstruction.
• Support real-time spacecraft operations during testing and flight activities, including console responsibilities as needed.
• Create and maintain technical documentation for ground software systems, interfaces, and operational procedures.
• Partner with test and integration teams to ensure ground systems are reliable, testable, and maintainable.
• Troubleshoot and resolve challenges involving data flow, system observability, and integration across spacecraft and test infrastructure.

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Previous experience developing ground software, mission operations systems, or spacecraft telemetry and command systems.
• Experience designing and building data infrastructure, including databases, time-series data stores, streaming pipelines, or message buses.
• Experience developing data visualization and analysis tools for technical or engineering applications.
• Experience working with space systems such as satellites, spacecraft, rovers, or launch vehicles.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in one or more modern programming languages, including Python, C++, Go, or Rust.
• Strong understanding of networking, communication protocols, and real-time or high-throughput data processing.
• Experience with cloud-based ground systems or mission control software.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices and automated testing pipelines.
• Comfort leveraging modern agentic AI development tools, such as Claude, within the software development workflow.

Professional Attributes

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of complex engineering challenges.
• Comfortable operating in small, fast-moving, highly technical teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a disciplined approach to software reliability and system integration.
• Willingness to work fully onsite and participate in hands‑on testing and operational activities.

What Sets This Opportunity Apart:

• Engineering Excellence: Work alongside highly talented engineers and technical leaders solving complex aerospace and defense challenges.
• High Ownership: Take responsibility for systems from initial architecture through development, testing, and deployment.
• Direct Mission Impact: Contribute to the development of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy.
• Technical Autonomy: Make meaningful engineering decisions without unnecessary bureaucracy or micromanagement.
• Rapid Innovation: Work in an environment that prioritizes disciplined execution, continuous testing, and accelerated development.
• Professional Growth: Expand your technical expertise by tackling challenging problems across the spacecraft ground systems architecture.

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $217,500 – $247,500, depending on qualifications, experience, location, and interview performance.

The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Equity Participation providing an opportunity to share in the company's success.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan to support long-term financial planning.
• Company Events & Team Outings including regular social events and company-sponsored activities.
• This is a 100% onsite position. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available.
• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Candidates must currently possess an active TS/SCI clearance or be eligible to obtain one.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Suna Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Applicants, with criminal histories, are considered in a manner that is consistent with local, state, and federal laws.

REQUESTING AN ACCOMODATION

Suna Solutions is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities or religious observances, including reasonable accommodation when needed. If you are hired by Suna Solutions and require accommodation to perform the essential functions of your role, you will be asked to participate in our reasonable accommodation process. Accommodations made to facilitate the recruiting process are not a guarantee of future or continued accommodations once hired.

PAY TRANSPARENCY POLICY STATEMENT

Compensation for roles at Suna Solutions varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific client, office or remote location, role, skill set and level of experience. As required by local law, Suna Solutions provides a reasonable pay scale to include the hourly or salary range that Suna Solutions reasonably expects to pay for roles that may be hired in California, Colorado, New York City or Washington as set forth below.