Senior Satellite Payload Systems Engineer - Hybrid / On‑Orbit

Iridium Communications Inc; Leesburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan options

Paid time off and holidays

Paid parental leave

Other discounts and perks

Job summary

Iridium Communications Inc. seeks a Payload Computer Systems Engineer to join a diverse engineering team focused on satellite payload computer hardware and software for the Iridium constellation.

The role entails design, testing, on-orbit checkout, anomaly resolution, and hardware longevity efforts across 240 payload computers, 320 modem boards, and 160 power supplies, with cross-functional collaboration and on-call responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline and 8+ years in spacecraft payload computer systems
• Experience troubleshooting hardware and software issues in mission-critical systems
• Proficiency in C, C++, Java, Python and Unix/Linux environments
• Strong written and verbal communication across multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems with creative solutions

Responsibilities

• Conduct payload computer, modem board, and power supply performance analysis for 240 payload computers, 320 modem boards, and 160 power supplies
• Analyze on-orbit payload computer hardware and software performance and respond to anomalies
• Collaborate to prepare a vehicle software build for on-orbit deployment and testing
• Interface with vehicle manufacturers and vendors to resolve issues
• Perform satellite payload computer data bus analysis (SpaceWire, MGT, SelectMap, ML16DS16)
• Contribute to software feature prioritization and defect triage across builds
• Deliver operational satellite software products through configuration management systems
• Develop technical documentation and train operations personnel
• Lead concurrent payload computer engineering efforts including anomaly investigations and on-orbit validation
• Familiarity with space operations environments

Skills

C/C++/Python

Java

Unix/Linux

Systems analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Proactive knowledge sharing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

SpaceWire

MGT

SelectMap

ML16DS16

Atlassian Tool Suite

GitLab

PowerPC processors

Xilinx FPGA

Job description

Iridium Communications Inc. seeks a Payload Computer Systems Engineer to join a diverse engineering team focused on satellite payload computer hardware and software for the Iridium constellation.

The role entails design, testing, on-orbit checkout, anomaly resolution, and hardware longevity efforts across 240 payload computers, 320 modem boards, and 160 power supplies, with cross-functional collaboration and on-call responsibilities.