Space & Ground Network Architect

Socket.dev; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare (vision & dental)

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Azora is seeking a Senior Network Architect to design the end-to-end space-ground network, bridging space terminals, optical ground stations, and customer delivery points. You will specify protocols, ground infrastructure, and security across the hybrid network with weather‑dependent links, aiming for maximal availability.

You will produce ICDs and requirements for software, FPGA, and ground teams, and support trade studies and customer engagements in this pivotal aerospace project.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 7+ years in network architecture or space communications systems engineering, with at least 2 years on space or satellite programs.
• Deep knowledge of networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, routing, transport protocols over high-latency/lossy links, and performance-enhancing techniques.
• Experience with space link protocols (CCSDS suite – AOS/USLP, COP-1, CFDP – or equivalent proprietary stacks).
• Demonstrated ability to write clear architecture documents, ICDs, and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Architect the end-to-end network: space-to-ground optical links, inter-site terrestrial backhaul, network operations center (NOC) integration, and customer data delivery.
• Define protocol stacks for optical links operating over fading atmospheric channels, including framing, FEC/interleaving strategy at the network layer, ARQ, and delay/disruption-tolerant networking (DTN) where appropriate.
• Design site-diversity and handover strategies that exploit multiple ground stations to maximize network availability under cloud cover.
• Develop network-level scheduling and resource allocation across satellite passes, ground stations, and customer demand.
• Specify ground segment IT/network infrastructure: routing, VPNs/encryption, QoS, monitoring, and integration with cloud delivery (AWS/Azure ground-station-style interfaces).
• Define security architecture across the network, including key management and encrypted command/telemetry paths.
• Produce ICDs and requirements that flow down to software, FPGA, and ground systems teams; support trade studies and customer technical engagements.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

TCP/IP

Space/satellite programs

Architecture documentation

CCSDS protocols

Security architecture

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Job description

Azora is seeking a Senior Network Architect to design the end-to-end space-ground network, bridging space terminals, optical ground stations, and customer delivery points. You will specify protocols, ground infrastructure, and security across the hybrid network with weather‑dependent links, aiming for maximal availability.

You will produce ICDs and requirements for software, FPGA, and ground teams, and support trade studies and customer engagements in this pivotal aerospace project.