Software Engineer – Satellite Modeling and Tasking

Array Labs•Palo Alto, CA 94301, US• Full Time

Posted 5 months ago• Software

Compensation

$150,000–$300,000/year

Job Description

At Array Labs, we are building the world’s most advanced radar imaging satellites to produce an accurate, continuously updated 3D map of the Earth, providing governments and commercial organizations with critical insights into the physical world.

We design and build our satellites end-to-end, from on-orbit hardware to ground software and data processing, achieving system performance not possible with conventional satellite systems.

As part of our quickly growing engineering team, you will play a critical role in the design of the world’s most advanced radar satellite constellation—one that will significantly improve humanity’s ability to rapidly and comprehensively understand our changing planet.

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.