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Ground Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

AST SpaceMobile

Ground Software Engineer (Senior)

Lanham, MD · On-site +1

$122K - $161K/yr

Position Overview We are seeking a Senior Ground Software Engineer with deep fullstack development experience to help design, build, and maintain software and infrastructure that supports ...

AST SpaceMobile

Ground Software Engineer (Senior)

Lanham, MD · On-site

$122K - $161K/yr

Position Overview We are seeking a Senior Ground Software Engineer with deep full-stack development experience to help design, build, and maintain software and infrastructure that supports mission ...

Stratos Solutions

Ground Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Oversee the end-to-end systems engineering lifecycle for satellite ground software development, from concept and design to integration and delivery. * Develop and refine system architectures and ...

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All JobsGround Software Engineer JobsGround Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Ground Software Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$71.9K

$167.1K

$232.7K

How much do ground software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for ground software engineer in Washington, DC is $167,085.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,900.00 and $195,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a ground software engineer?

Ground Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain software systems that support space missions from the ground. Their work typically involves building tools for mission control, telemetry processing, satellite communication, and data management. These engineers ensure that spacecraft can be monitored, commanded, and controlled from Earth, often collaborating closely with hardware engineers and mission operators. They play a crucial role in mission success by enabling real-time data analysis, automation, and troubleshooting for space operations.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a ground software engineer?

To thrive as a Ground Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (often in languages like C++, Java, or Python), a background in computer science or engineering, and knowledge of satellite ground systems. Familiarity with software development tools, real-time operating systems, and experience with mission control systems or telemetry processing platforms are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities ensure reliable software that supports mission-critical ground operations and fosters collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

What challenges does a ground software engineer face when integrating new systems with existing ground infrastructure?

Ground Software Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new software with legacy ground systems, such as ensuring compatibility between different hardware interfaces and communication protocols. They may also need to address issues related to real-time data processing, security requirements, and system scalability. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including hardware engineers, network specialists, and mission operations personnel—is essential to identify potential integration issues early and develop effective solutions.

What is the difference between Ground Software Engineer vs Satellite Software Engineer?

AspectGround Software EngineerSatellite Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields; experience with embedded systems and real-time softwareSimilar credentials; focus on embedded systems, real-time software, and aerospace standards
Work EnvironmentGround stations, control centers, labs, often in aerospace or defense industriesSatellite onboard systems, spacecraft, aerospace facilities
Employer & IndustryAerospace, defense, satellite communication companiesSatellite manufacturers, space agencies, aerospace firms
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles in satellite ground control and software developmentRoles related to satellite onboard software development

While both roles involve embedded and real-time software skills, Ground Software Engineers focus on developing and maintaining ground station systems and control software, whereas Satellite Software Engineers work on onboard satellite systems and firmware. The roles often overlap in skills but differ in environment and specific responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Ground Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Ground Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Ground Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Ground Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Ground Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ground Software Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $167,085 per year, or $80.3 per hour.

Ground Software Engineer (Senior)

AST SpaceMobile

Lanham, MD • On-site, Remote

$122K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain fullstack software applications supporting ground and mission operations

  • Architect and support networked systems used for secure communication between distributed systems

  • Debug, troubleshoot, and resolve issues across application, infrastructure, and networking layers

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Ground Software Engineer with deep fullstack development experience to help design, build, and maintain software and infrastructure that supports missioncritical ground systems and operations. This role plays a key part in developing reliable, scalable systems used for monitoring, communication, and control of spacebased assets.

The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor and technical leader who thrives in complex, highly regulated environments, takes ownership of system design decisions, and proactively drives improvements through automation and best practices. This is a hybrid, U.S.-based role with occasional travel.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain fullstack software applications supporting ground and mission operations
  • Architect and support networked systems used for secure communication between distributed systems
  • Debug, troubleshoot, and resolve issues across application, infrastructure, and networking layers
  • Collaborate with crossfunctional engineering teams to identify gaps and improve operational workflows through automation
  • Contribute to system architecture decisions and lead development efforts for new tools and platforms
  • Serve as a technical leader within the ground software team while remaining handson as an individual contributor
  • Provide technical guidance, code reviews, and uphold industry best practices across software and DevOps processes

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience

A minimum of 8-10 years of professional experience in software engineering or application development.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience building systems within regulated or compliancedriven environments
  • Advanced experience implementing DevOps practices in complex production environments
  • Experience developing platformagnostic applications (web and mobile)
  • Strong frontend design and development expertise
  • Familiarity with modern UI/UX design and prototyping tools
  • Experience with scripting and automation across multiple operating systems
  • Exposure to formal security or compliance frameworks commonly used in enterprise or governmentadjacent settings

Soft Skills

  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across distributed teams
  • Proven ability to lead initiatives while remaining a handson technical contributor
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • High level of ownership, initiative, and selfdirection
  • Meticulous attention to detail to ensure reliability and accuracy in missioncritical systems

Technology Stack

  • Programming languages such as Python, Java, C/C++, Go, or similar
  • Fullstack and API frameworks (e.g., Nodebased or Pythonbased frameworks)
  • Frontend frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue
  • Cloud environments (primarily AWS)
  • Containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker)
  • Relational and nonrelational databases
  • Version control and CI/CD tooling
  • Centralized logging and monitoring platforms
  • Linux and Windows operating systems

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to work in a standard hybrid office environment
  • Prolonged periods of computer use for software design, development, and troubleshooting
  • Ability to participate in virtual meetings across time zones

Occasional travel as required

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands. 

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