Join a team building advanced software for satellite payload systems that power a next-generation, high-capacity communications network. In this role, you'll develop flight software responsible for managing data transmission at speeds up to 6 terabits per second across low and medium Earth orbit satellites. Your work will directly impact the reliability, efficiency, and security of global satellite connectivity.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement embedded software for satellite payloads, with emphasis on network automation and communication protocols
- Develop software for Q/V-band RF and optical communication systems operating in space environments
- Build algorithms that enable autonomous routing, load distribution, and fault recovery across a distributed satellite network
- Create interfaces between payload components and spacecraft bus systems
- Engineer solutions for real-time data handling and transmission at extreme throughput levels
- Construct simulation environments to test and validate software behavior before deployment
- Work closely with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration of software and physical systems
- Document software requirements, architecture, and test procedures throughout the development lifecycle
- Apply security practices to safeguard data integrity and communication channels
- Take part in code reviews, integration testing, and troubleshooting of in-flight software issues
- Support software updates and maintenance for satellites operating in orbit
What You’ll Need
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
- Minimum of five years of experience developing embedded software for space, aerospace, or telecommunications applications
- Strong programming skills in C/C++ and Python, or other languages used in embedded and networked systems
- Experience with real-time operating systems and embedded development environments
- Familiarity with networking protocols and distributed system architectures
- Understanding of software development lifecycles, version control, and configuration management
- Background in software testing strategies and validation tools
Preferred Experience
- Direct involvement with satellite communications or payload software systems
- Knowledge of software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV)
- Experience with optical communication technologies and associated protocols
- Work on high-throughput data processing platforms
- Development of radiation-tolerant or fault-resilient software for space environments
- Understanding of cybersecurity principles as applied to space-based networks
- Exposure to FPGA programming or hardware acceleration methods
- Application of machine learning techniques to optimize network performance
Technology Environment
Software development in C/C++ and Python, real-time operating systems, networking and distributed computing frameworks, SDN/NFV, optical communications protocols, FPGA and hardware acceleration tools, and machine learning integration.
Work Environment
This is an on-site role with locations in California and Washington. The position requires hands-on collaboration with engineering teams and access to specialized development and testing infrastructure.
