Software Engineer, Ground Software

Katalyst Space; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation bonus

Healthcare benefits (medical, vision,?

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Katalyst Space in Colorado, USA, seeks engineers to build cloud-based, scalable microservice architectures supporting dynamic space operations. You will own production services, mentor juniors, and drive code quality and automated tooling for mission workflows.

Ideal candidates have 3–8 years in cloud-based systems, with AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Python, C++, React, Kafka, and databases like MongoDB. ITAR compliance applies to some roles; compensation ranges from $120k to $165k annually.

Qualifications

• 3-8 years of cloud-based scalable microservice architecture.
• Experience owning services in production.
• Experience in creating high-reliability production-critical systems.
• Familiarity with internal and external stakeholders to ensure proper feature creation.
• Deep technical fluency in cloud, backend, frontend, and streaming systems.
• AWS Suite and modern development tooling.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS or related STEM; Master’s preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and understand current Ground stack.
• Understand and walk through current mission workflows.
• Identify gaps and potential technical debt.
• Train on console for upcoming mission operations.
• Choose an area to become a code owner in.
• Help create automated tooling to improve ground procedures.
• Help enforce and improve culture around code quality and standards.
• Mentor junior engineers.
• Be an advocate and example of testing and integrating work into other areas in the company.
• Provide technical expertise to fill out user stories and epics.

Skills

Cloud-based microservice architecture

Production service ownership

Mission-critical systems experience

Full-stack fluency across cloud, back,

Strong executor delivering reliable,価l

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related STEM

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

AWS (EKS, MSK, S3, Timestream, Batch, EventBridge)

Docker

Kubernetes (K8)

Python

C++

React

Tailwind

Kafka

MongoDB

Git, CI/CD

Job description

Katalyst Description

We build robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations, creating a future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space activity that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Description

We build robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations, creating a future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space activity that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. You’ll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. You’ll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best.

What You’ll Do

• Review and understand current Ground stack
• Understand and walk through current mission workflows
• Identify any gaps and potential technical debt
• Train on console for upcoming mission operations

What You Will Own In The Next 30 Days

• Will have chosen an area to become a code owner in
• Help create automated tooling to improve ground procedures
• Help enforce and improve culture around code quality and standards
• Mentor junior engineers
• Be an advocate and example of testing and integrating work into other areas in the company
• Help give technical expertise to fill out user stories and epics

What We Value

• System level thinker understanding cloud based scalable micro service systems
• Strong desire to build and design something from the ground up
• Able to understand and communicate customer needs into actionable items
• Someone who strives for clarity and understanding, but can make do without perfect requirements
• An operations first developer
• A strong executor and someone that excels in producing valuable and reliable code
• A passion for automation and creating systems that streamline operations
• Reliability-first mindset

Required

Your Ideal Background

• Looking for someone with 3-8 years of cloud based scalable micro service architecture
• Experience owning services in production
• Experience supporting mission critical services
• Experience in creating high reliability production-critical systemsFamiliarity working with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure proper feature creation
• Deep technical fluency in cloud, backend, frontend, and streaming systems
• AWS Suite (EKS, MSK, Timestream, S3, Batch, Event Bridge), Python, C++, React, Tailwind, Redis, Kafka, influx, QuestDB, MongoDB, git, CI/CD, Docker, K8
• Minimum bachelor’s degree in computer science or other related STEM fields
• Master’s degree preferred

Compensation And Benefits

Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $120,000 - $165,000 annually. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.