Software Engineer - RFGL Systems

Spire; Vienna (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Spire Global is seeking a Software Engineer to support the RFGL/SIGINT product team. You will deploy, operate, and automate production RFGL software on AWS, manage data pipelines, and build monitoring tooling to ensure high reliability for customers including commercial, government, and defense sectors.

The role emphasizes operational software with strong collaboration under a senior engineer, with hybrid work requiring three days in the office weekly.

Qualifications

• Hands-on AWS experience (EC2, S3, Lambda, ECS/EKS, CloudWatch, IAM)
• Proficient in Python for scripting and tooling
• Experience building/maintaining production systems with focus on reliability and monitoring
• Strong communication and teamwork in a small, senior-guided team

Responsibilities

• Deploy, maintain, and monitor RFGL and SIGINT software in AWS production environments
• Build and improve data pipelines and data delivery platforms
• Develop tooling for production monitoring, alerting, logging, and observability
• Support satellite tasking operations and command workflows for RF geolocation missions
• Investigate and resolve bugs and performance issues in payload software and infrastructure
• Collaborate with RF/domain experts and cross-functional teams to improve reliability
• Contribute to infrastructure automation, CI/CD, and secure deployment practices

Skills

AWS

Python

Production systems

Reliability

Collaboration

Communication

Job description

Spire Global is a space‑to‑cloud analytics company that owns and operates the largest multi‑purpose constellation of satellites. We are hiring a Software Engineer to join our US‑focused RFGL (Radio Frequency Geolocation) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) product team.

This role is not the algorithmic or scientific core of our geolocation capability (that sits with our Principal RF Engineer and research team). Instead, you will own the operational side: deploying and maintaining production RFGL/SIGINT software systems on AWS, handling data pipelines and integrations (internal + customer‑facing), building monitoring tooling and automation, supporting satellite tasking workflows, and troubleshooting/fixing issues across payloads, ground systems, and infrastructure to drive RFGL product success for commercial, government, and defense customers.

ITAR restrictions apply to the work performed on this team. You will work under the direct supervision and mentorship of a senior software engineer on a small, high‑impact team. This is an early‑to‑mid‑career hands‑on role ideal for someone who thrives in iterative, production‑focused environments and wants to contribute meaningfully to mission‑critical space systems without needing deep RF estimation theory expertise upfront.

What You’ll Do:

• Deploy, maintain, and monitor RFGL and SIGINT software products in AWS production environments, ensuring high availability and performance for real customers
• Build and improve data handling pipelines, integrations with Spire internal systems, and customer‑facing data delivery platforms
• Develop tooling and automation for production monitoring, alerting, logging, and operational observability
• Support satellite tasking operations and command workflows that enable RF geolocation missions
• Investigate and resolve bugs, performance issues, or enhancement needs in satellite payload software, ground systems, and related infrastructure
• Collaborate closely with the senior software engineer, RF domain experts, and cross‑functional teams to implement incremental improvements that directly enhance RFGL product reliability and capability
• Contribute to infrastructure automation, CI/CD processes, and secure deployment practices in a regulated environment

Required Qualifications:

• 2–5 years of professional software engineering experience (or equivalent academic + internship/project work for strong early‑career candidates)
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda, ECS/EKS, CloudWatch, IAM, or similar services) — this is critical
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, data processing, and backend tooling
• Experience building or maintaining production systems with a focus on reliability, monitoring, and operational excellence
• Strong communication skills and comfort working collaboratively in a small team under senior guidance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Security background or experience implementing secure engineering practices, compliance controls, or working in regulated/government environments
• Background with big data systems, pipelines, or tools (e.g., Spark, Kafka, Databricks, S3‑based data lakes)
• Prior exposure to space, aerospace, satellite operations, ground stations, or related domains
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, etc.), or observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)
• Any experience reading/debugging C++ or embedded systems code (helpful for payload/ground system work)

Spire operates a hybrid work model, and this position will require you to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Access to US export‑controlled software and/or technology may be required for this role. If needed, Spire will arrange the necessary licenses—this is not something candidates need to have before applying.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Final base salary for this role will be based on the location, skills, experience and qualifications. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible for commissions and annual equity awards. This role is also eligible for our employee benefits program, including vacation, sick, and personal time off; optional medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage; a 401(K) plan; health and wellness reimbursement program; and participation in Spire’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Base Salary Range:

$90,000 USD - $130,500 USD

About Spire

We are a space‑to‑cloud analytics company that owns and operates the largest multi‑purpose constellation of satellites. Its proprietary data and algorithms provide the most advanced maritime, aviation, and weather tracking in the world.

Its data infrastructure includes a global ground station network and 24/7 operations that provide real‑time global coverage of every point on Earth.

Spire is Global and our success draws upon the diverse viewpoints, skills and experiences of our employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.