Ground Software Engineer

Lead Ground Software Engineer - Onsite | Irvine, CA

Are you passionate about leading the development of mission-critical ground software systems that power space missions?
A leading space technology company is seeking a Lead Ground Software Engineer to drive the technical vision and execution of advanced ground systems supporting satellite operations and interplanetary missions. This is a full-time, onsite role based in Irvine, CA, ideal for someone with a strong leadership background in mission control software, real-time systems, and aerospace operations.

Due to the sensitivity of the work, this position requires onsite presence five days a week and will require you to undergo a TS/SCI Clearance.

As a Lead Ground Software Engineer, you will:

• Architect, design, and lead development of robust ground software systems for satellite command, telemetry, and mission operations.
• Define technical roadmaps and lead cross-functional teams across GNC, AI, and mission ops to deliver mission-ready software.
• Ensure the scalability, security, and reliability of real-time mission control systems (MCS).
• Drive best practices for ground system development, including CI/CD, test automation, and incident response strategies.
• Serve as a mentor and technical leader for a team of engineers, guiding design reviews, code quality, and system architecture.
• Collaborate directly with mission operators to translate operational requirements into elegant, intuitive software tools.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement across the ground systems stack.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 7+ years of experience in mission-critical ground software development, with at least 2+ years in a technical leadership or team lead role.
• Deep expertise in satellite telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C), ground control systems, and mission ops tooling.
• Experience building and scaling real-time systems with high availability and low-latency data processing.
• Strong technical ownership and the ability to drive complex projects from concept through deployment.
• Eligibility for TS/SCI clearance.
• Willingness to support mission-critical operations including on-call rotations or launch events.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with spacecraft command systems, ground station comms, and telemetry pipelines.
• Experience with CCSDS protocols and other spacecraft comms standards.
• Exposure to space mission planning, scheduling systems, or space situational awareness (SSA).
• Proven ability to integrate ground software with flight systems and simulate mission scenarios.
• Domain knowledge in LEO, GEO, or deep space operations.

Technical Environment:

• Languages: Go or Ruby and Python
• Cloud: AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda, etc.)
• Infrastructure: Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra
• Protocols: CCSDS, telemetry, TT&C systems
• Architecture: Microservices, REST APIs, real-time telemetry processing

What You'll Get:

• Competitive Compensation: Salary based on experience and leadership responsibilities.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Support: 401(k) with company match.
• Generous PTO: Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Growth Opportunities: Leadership training, conferences, and internal career development.
• Company Culture: Inclusive, mission-driven, and collaborative-with regular team events and space mission celebrations.

Ready to lead the next generation of ground software systems?
Join us and make a tangible impact on the future of space exploration. Apply now to help shape the software backbone of tomorrow's space missions.