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Ground Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

K2 Space

Senior Ground Software Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Ground Software team, you will create software for building, testing, and flying satellites, collaborating with various teams to develop mission architecture and ...

Lockheed Martin

As Ground Software Engineer: • Development of innovative enterprise, Cloud based solutions for mission management and command and control • You will design, implement, test, and maintain object ...

Lockheed Martin

Ground Software Engineer Sr.

Littleton, CO · On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

As Ground Software Engineer: • You will design, implement, test, and maintain object-oriented ground system software applications using Java, C#, Rust, Angular, Python • You will support ...

Lockheed Martin

Ground Software Engineer Sr.

Littleton, CO · On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

As Ground Software Engineer: • You will design, implement, test, and maintain object-oriented ground system software applications using Java, C#, Rust, Angular, Python • You will support ...

Lockheed Martin

Ground Software Engineer Sr.

Littleton, CO

$124K - $164K/yr

THE WORK Lockheed Martin is seeking a talented Level 3 Ground Software Engineer with a Final Top Secret security clearance to work from our King of Prussia, PA location . We are looking for software ...

Lockheed Martin

$124K - $164K/yr

As Ground Software Engineer: • Development of innovative enterprise, Cloud based solutions for mission management and command and control • You will design, implement, test, and maintain object ...

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All JobsGround Software Engineer Jobs

Ground Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do ground software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for ground software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Ground Software Engineers?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Ground Software Engineer, and why are they important?

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 are some typical challenges a Ground Software Engineer faces 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.

More about Ground Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Ground Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Ground Software Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Ground Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Ground Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ground Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ground Software Engineer jobs are:
Ground Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ground Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.
Senior Ground Software Engineer

Senior Ground Software Engineer

K2 Space

Torrance, CA • On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
K2 Space is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. As a Senior Software Engineer on the Ground Software team, you will create software for building, testing, and flying satellites, collaborating with various teams to develop mission architecture and meet customer payload needs.
Responsibilities:
• Design and implement software that facilitates the build, test, and operations of K2's vehicles and our customers' payloads
• Collaborate with Mission Operators and Engineers across the company to identify and scope software solutions to complex technical and business problems
• Facilitate software design reviews, architecture discussions, and code reviews to align stakeholders on technical direction
• Work across our stack (Rust backend, TypeScript/Vue frontend) to support development, test, and operations milestones
• Support internal and external customers in an on-call capacity as your software is used to drive ground test activities and on-orbit spacecraft operations
• Mentor other engineers to build a strong team culture and software engineering practices
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or a STEM discipline or 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering
• Additionally, 5+ years of experience building software solutions in a professional environment
Preferred:
• Experience working on space missions and/or the satellite ground segment
• Experience with Rust or another statically-typed backend programming language (Go, C++, Java, C#, TypeScript)
• Experience with JavaScript/TypeScript and modern frontend development tooling (Vue, React, Svelte)
• Experience with version control, continuous integration, build, deployment, monitoring
• Experience developing HTTP or gRPC APIs
• Experience with SQL databases (PostgreSQL or similar)
• Experience designing and implementing event-driven architectures
• Experience developing reliable, scalable systems
• Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes
• Experience with WebSockets and/or Server-Sent-Events (SSE)
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices and relevant certifications/standards (SOC2, FedRAMP)
• Familiarity with networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, QUIC)
• Familiarity with data streaming technologies such as NATS, Pulsar, or similar
Company:
Office design, fit out, refurbishment and furniture company Founded in 2004, the company is headquartered in London, GBR, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.
K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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