Software Engineer – Network

PLP Group; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous equity

Competitive healthcare

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

EEO & Reasonable Accommodations

Job summary

Azora is hiring a software engineer to build the software that moves data through its space-ground optical network. You will implement link control, data plane services, scheduling, and ground-side processing that turns downlinks into reliable customer data delivery.

You will contribute to pass scheduling, telemetry, TT&C paths, and encrypted uplinks, while delivering high-throughput code and robust monitoring for a distributed, multi-site network.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years of professional software engineering experience, with experience in 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 of network services.
• Experience with Linux systems programming and deployment (containers, systemd, CI/CD).

Responsibilities

• Develop networking software for the ground segment: link management and data ingest pipelines.
• Build pass scheduling and orchestration services coordinating satellites, ground stations, and weather data.
• Develop TT&C software paths including 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, multi-site network.
• Develop simulation/test harnesses for protocol behavior over fading optical channels.
• Participate in on-call support for operational ground stations as the network scales.

Skills

Go

Rust

C++

Python

TCP/UDP

sockets

serialization

Linux

Containers

CI/CD

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

DPDK

io_uring

kernel bypass

10/25/100GbE pipelines

Job description

Job detailsEngineeringSan Francisco Bay Area, PhoenixFull-time$130,000 USD - $170,000 USDRoleBuild 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.ResponsibilitiesImplement 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 QualificationsBS/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).PreferredExperience 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.LocationThis 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 equityCompetitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)401(k)Unlimited PTOEEO & Reasonable AccommodationsAzora 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] ControlTo 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 CompanyAzora 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.