Software Engineer – Network

Azora; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous equity

Competitive healthcare

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Azora is hiring a software engineer to build and operate the ground-segment software that moves data through a space-ground optical network. You will implement protocols defined by the Network Architect and help shape them with real implementation feedback.

In this hybrid onsite role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA, you will ensure multi-Gbps downlink data handling, telemetry processing, and robust network services across distributed sites.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years of professional software engineering experience, with networked systems or distributed services.
• Strong skills in Go, Rust, C++, or Python for backend/network services.
• Solid understanding of TCP/UDP, sockets, serialization, and performance tuning.
• Experience with Linux systems programming and deployment (containers, systemd, CI/CD).

Responsibilities

• Implement networking software for the ground segment, including link management and data pipelines.
• Build scheduling and orchestration services coordinating satellites, ground stations, and weather data.
• Develop TT&C software paths with encrypted command uplink and telemetry processing.
• Write high-throughput data plane code for multi-Gbps downlink rates.
• Create monitoring, logging, and operational tooling for a distributed network.
• Develop simulation and test harnesses for protocol behavior over fading channels.
• Participate in on-call support as the network scales.

Skills

Go

Rust

C++

Python

TCP/UDP networking

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Linux systems programming

Containers

CI/CD

CCSDS protocols

Job description

Build the software that moves data through Azora's space-ground optical network: link control, data plane services, scheduling, and the ground-side services that turn raw optical downlinks into reliable customer data delivery. You will implement the protocols and services the Network Architect defines – and help shape them with real implementation feedback.

Role

Build the software that moves data through Azora's space-ground optical network: link control, data plane services, scheduling, and the ground-side services that turn raw optical downlinks into reliable customer data delivery. You will implement the protocols and services the Network Architect defines – and help shape them with real implementation feedback.

Responsibilities

• Implement networking software for the ground segment: link management, framing/ARQ logic, data ingest pipelines, store-and-forward services, and customer delivery APIs.

• Build the pass scheduling and orchestration services that coordinate satellites, ground stations, and weather data in near-real time.

• Develop telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) software paths, including encrypted command uplink and telemetry processing.

• Write high-throughput data plane code capable of sustaining multi-Gbps downlink rates from receiver hardware to storage and network egress.

• Build monitoring, logging, and operational tooling for a distributed, multi-site network.

• Develop simulation and test harnesses for protocol behavior over fading optical channels (packet loss, burst errors, outages).

• Participate in on-call support of operational ground stations as the network scales.

Required Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.

• 4+ years of professional software engineering experience, with significant work in networked systems or distributed services.

• Strong skills in at least one of: Go, Rust, C++, or modern Python for backend/network services.

• Solid understanding of TCP/UDP, sockets, serialization, and performance tuning of network services.

• Experience with Linux systems programming and deployment (containers, systemd, CI/CD).

Preferred

• Experience with satellite ground systems, CCSDS protocols, or SDR/communications software.

• High-performance networking experience (DPDK, io_uring, kernel bypass, or 10/25/100GbE pipelines).

• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP), message queues, and time-series telemetry stacks (Prometheus, InfluxDB, Grafana).

• Exposure to DTN, custom ARQ protocols, or erasure coding for lossy links.

Location

This is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for field deployment and vendor/manufacturing visits.

Benefits:

• Generous equity

• Competitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)

• 401(k)

• Unlimited PTO

EEO & Reasonable Accommodations

• Azora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

• If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting [e-mail]

Export Control

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Salary ranges are based on the following criteria:

• Final salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.

About this Company

Azora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.