Senior Ground Software Operations Engineer

Orbital Sidekick is a space-based intelligence company that uses hyperspectral imaging satellites to monitor infrastructure and natural resources from orbit. The company provides continuous, high-frequency surveillance of pipelines, energy assets, and environmental conditions, enabling operators to detect leaks, spills, and anomalies with a level of precision and frequency that traditional aerial or ground-based monitoring cannot match. Their technology delivers actionable insights by combining satellite imagery with advanced analytics and machine learning. From a climate and sustainability perspective, Orbital Sidekick plays a critical role in reducing methane and hydrocarbon emissions by helping energy companies detect leaks in pipelines and storage facilities early, preventing significant greenhouse gas releases into the atmosphere. Their monitoring capabilities also support environmental compliance, helping operators meet regulatory requirements and reduce their overall environmental footprint. By making leak detection more accessible and scalable, the company contributes directly to emissions reduction goals across the oil, gas, and broader energy sectors. What sets Orbital Sidekick apart is its proprietary hyperspectral sensing technology, which can identify specific chemical signatures from space, enabling detection of a wide range of substances at trace levels. This gives them a unique advantage over multispectral or standard optical satellite systems. The company operates its own constellation of hyperspectral satellites, branded as the HAWK constellation, providing persistent and repeatable coverage of critical global infrastructure.

What you’ll do:

Design software architecture that supports efficient upload and download of tasking and imagery data

Efficiently model tasking scenarios for a constellation of hyperspectral satellites

Perform trade studies on orbit positioning and maneuvers to maximize satellite coverage

Interface with the operations and software team to successfully execute targeted tasking with multiple space-based sensors

Write and maintain a modeling and simulation codebase that is used by multiple teams

Work with the OSK product team to deliver a high fidelity constellation tasking tool from simulation to execution

Develop and tune a scheduling algorithm for a constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites

What you’ll need to succeed:

BS in Computer Science or Aerospace/Mechanical/Astronautical Engineering

5+ years of experience in the Aerospace/Space/Software industry

Experience in verification of tasking plans and spacecraft health and status

Strong proficiency in Python and/or C++

Firm understanding of Linux/Unix Operating System commands for scripting and commanding

Experience using software APIs to receive and send telemetry data

Excellent foundations of software architecture, interface design, distributed systems, and testing patterns

Strong communication skills with other disciplines and engineers

Bonus points if you have:

MS in Computer Science/Aerospace/Astronautical Engineering

Practitioner-level experience with Cloud Infrastructure (AWS, GCP, etc)

Health and Status monitoring of satellite software systems experience

Knowledge of orbital mechanics and pointing/control algorithms for spacecraft

Spacecraft operations experience, downloading and uploading spacecraft control parameters

What we offer:

Competitive compensation and equity packages

Comprehensive health plan including health/dental/vision/wellness

Disability and Life insurance

401K program

Flexible time off

Commuter benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Monthly stipend for internet/cell phone/office expenses

Flexible in-office schedule with lunch Tuesday to Thursday in the San Francisco headquarters

Off-sites and team-building activities

Remote friendly (we hire in-office and remote employees in the United States)