Software Engineer – Satellite Modeling and Tasking

Array Labs; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Flexible compensation between salary and equity

Job summary

A leading satellite technology company in Palo Alto seeks a Software Engineer to develop automation solutions for spacecraft operations. You will create mission planning software and optimize satellite imaging schedules. Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science, with experience in cloud platforms and programming. This role offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 - $300,000 yearly and full-time employment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in engineering, computer science or related field.
• Experience with cloud platforms and containerization technologies.
• Strong programming skills in at least one language like Python, C++, or Rust.

Responsibilities

• Build and implement automation solutions for spacecraft operations.
• Integrate real-time information into mission planning software.
• Optimize schedules for maximizing imagery opportunities.

Skills

Developing autonomous systems

Docker management

Continuous integration systems

Programming in Python

Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

Database management (PostgreSQL)

RESTful API design

Physics-based software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Gitlab

Job description

Software Engineer – Satellite Modeling and Tasking

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This range is provided by Array Labs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$150,000.00/yr - $300,000.00/yr

At Array Labs, we are building the world's most advanced satellite radar constellation to create a high-resolution 3D digital twin of the Earth. Our mission is to provide "lidar-like" 3D data and imagery from space, serving critical applications for both commercial and defense customers.

This is a deep tech challenge in the truest sense. We're solving complex problems that span hardware, software, and data—from designing satellite systems for the harshness of space to building the massive "data factory" that turns raw sensor data into beautiful 3D products. We are looking for first-principles engineers who want to build, deploy, and scale a one-of-a-kind, vertically-integrated system from the ground up.

Positions from mid-level to staff software engineer available

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for building and implementing automation solutions for spacecraft and ground station for operating swarms of coordinated imaging satellites
• Implement controllers developed by GNC engineers to plan and execute satellite maneuvers, including orbit corrections and station-keeping, to optimize satellite positions and performance.
• Develop and maintain mission planning software that integrates mission design, operational concepts, and flight hardware requirements
• Design and implement systems to manage asynchronous data streams, integrating real-time information to generate and upload new decisions and schedules
• Design architecture concepts considering spacecraft coordination, payload and system budget capabilities, data collection requirements, autonomy, and mission operations
• Implement automation and algorithms for precise orbit determination of Array Labs and GNSS satellites
• Evolve and implement models to characterize vehicles and satellite systems propulsion, power, precision, navigation, timing, and tracking requirements
• Optimize schedules to maximize imagery opportunities based on imaging priorities and system capabilities

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or a related field, with 3+ years of experience
• At least two of the preferred skill and experiences listed
• Experience developing autonomous systems and integrating them into larger operational frameworks
• Understanding of how to create, configure, and manage Docker containers
• Experience with continuous integration systems and automated test execution pipelines (Gitlab preferred)
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, C++, or Rust
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with database systems and CRUD operations in database management, preferably PostgreSQL and TimescaleDB
• Familiarity with RESTful API design and implementation
• Experience with physics-based software packages and/or model-based digital engineering tools

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of precision orbit determination methods
• Familiarity with FreeFlyer, STK GMAT, and/or custom-developed equivalent
• Familiarity with satellite dynamics, including orbit determination, attitude control systems, and station-keeping maneuvers
• Experience with flight software and embedded systems
• Experience setting up automated hardware in the loop (HIL) test benches
• Familiarity with satellite mission operations and/or Ground Station as a Service providers
• Experience with geospatial, remote sensing, 3D data, and/or digital signal processing techniques (e.g. SAR and optical satellite imagery, LiDAR point clouds)

ITAR Requirements:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• Array Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, competence, and job qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by gender, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Interview Process

We will conduct three interviews via Zoom; the typical process takes around 2-4 weeks to complete from start to finish.

Hiring and Compensation Strategy

Our hiring and compensation strategy is simple:

1) find uncommonly good people

2) pay them uncommonly well

You can anticipate competitive pay, with high flexibility between salary and equity-based compensation.

Why you should join Array Labs

Array Labs is launching a constellation of satellites to create the first high-resolution, real-time, three-dimensional model of Earth. Our next-generation satellite technology will offer image quality 60x greater than traditional techniques, profoundly expanding humanity’s ability to understand and respond to events on a global scale.

In forging an affordable, accessible, accurate representation of Earth, our work has the potential to transform the face of dozens of fields, including autonomy, telecommunications, disaster relief, gaming, climate science, defense and construction.

Seniority level

Seniority level: Not Applicable

Employment type

Employment type: Full-time

Job function

Job function: Engineering and Information Technology

Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing