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Satellite Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$150 - $200/hr

Software Engineer - Build & Release Own and improve build and release pipelines for Xona ... With Pulsar - the world's most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit - Xona will ...

$200 - $250/hr

The Satellite Connectivity Group is hiring a software engineer to build automation and runtime infrastructure behind our communication satellite network. Our premise is that a satellite network ...

Sr. Software Development Engineer, OTA

Redmond, WA · On-site

$137K - $180K/yr

Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable ... Key job responsibilities Design and develop software solutions for satellite vehicle systems ...

Sr. Software Development Engineer, OTA

Redmond, WA · On-site

$137K - $180K/yr

Amazon Leo is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable ... Key job responsibilities Design and develop software solutions for satellite vehicle systems ...

Showing results 21-40

Satellite Software Engineer information

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$24K

$104.9K

$189K

How much do satellite software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for satellite software engineer in the United States is $104,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a satellite software engineer do?

A Satellite Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software systems that control and communicate with satellites. This includes writing code for on-board satellite systems, ground control stations, and communication protocols. They ensure that satellites perform their missions reliably, such as navigation, data collection, or communication. These engineers often work with multidisciplinary teams and use specialized programming languages and tools tailored for aerospace applications.

How does a satellite software engineer typically collaborate with hardware teams during a satellite mission project?

Satellite Software Engineers work closely with hardware engineers to ensure that the software interfaces seamlessly with spacecraft components such as sensors, actuators, and communication systems. Collaboration often involves joint testing, troubleshooting integration issues, and participating in cross-disciplinary design reviews. Regular communication is essential, as software updates may require hardware adaptations and vice versa. This teamwork helps guarantee the reliability and performance of the satellite in orbit.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a satellite software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Satellite Software Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science, embedded systems, and software development, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in aerospace or satellite projects. Familiarity with programming languages such as C/C++, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and tools like MATLAB or Simulink is typically required, along with knowledge of satellite communication protocols. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in complex, multidisciplinary environments. These competencies are crucial for ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient satellite operations and mission success.

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

AspectSatellite Software EngineerSatellite Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or Engineering, programming skillsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, systems knowledge
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, labs, remote workDesign and integration teams, labs, field testing
Industry UsagePrimarily in software development for satellite systemsInvolved in overall satellite system design and integration

The Satellite Software Engineer focuses on developing and maintaining the software that runs on satellites, while the Satellite Systems Engineer oversees the entire satellite system design, including hardware and software integration. Both roles require technical expertise but differ in scope and focus.

What cities are hiring for Satellite Software Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Satellite Software Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Satellite Software Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Satellite Software Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Satellite Software Engineer jobs?

For Satellite Software Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Satellite Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,863 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Devops Engineer Software

On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Software Engineer - Build & Release Own and improve build and release pipelines for Xona's satellite software.

Location: Burlingame, California

Compensation: $132,000 - 178,000 USD / year

About The Role Build & Release Software Engineer

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth. With Pulsar – the world's most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

We are looking for a Build & Release Software Engineer to own our build systems, CI/CD infrastructure, and release tooling for the software powering Xona's satellite systems. You'll improve developer productivity while ensuring reliable, repeatable builds and releases across both simulation and hardware-integrated environments.

What You'll Do
  • Design, maintain, and optimize cross-platform build systems using tools such as CMake and Bazel.
  • Manage and upgrade compiler toolchains (GCC, Clang, etc.) while handling complex dependency graphs, third-party libraries, and internal package management.
  • Own and improve CI/CD workflows supporting large-scale C++ applications.
  • Diagnose and optimize compilation and linking bottlenecks through caching, parallelization, and distributed build strategies.
  • Ensure seamless cross-compilation across multiple architectures, including x86 and ARM.
  • Support testing in containerized and emulated environments using technologies such as Docker and QEMU.
  • Write robust tooling and automation scripts in Python and Bash for environment provisioning, static analysis, and artifact generation.
  • Partner closely with C++ software engineers to improve modular architecture, dependency management, and overall build reliability.
  • Ensure reproducible build and release environments across local development, CI, and hardware-integrated systems.
Required Qualifications
  • 3+ years of experience in Build & Release Engineering, Developer Infrastructure, or DevOps supporting complex C++ codebases.
  • Advanced proficiency with CMake and GNU Make/Ninja.
  • Strong Linux command-line and Bash scripting skills.
  • Strong understanding of the C++ build, compilation, and linking lifecycle.
  • Familiarity with modern C++ standards (C++17/20/23).
  • Experience managing complex dependency graphs and modular build targets.
  • Hands-on experience with containerization platforms such as Docker or Podman for build environment provisioning, dependency isolation, and reproducible CI/CD workflows.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience developing or supporting Embedded Linux systems using Yocto, Buildroot, or similar tools.
  • Experience with hardware emulation tools such as QEMU.
  • Familiarity with GitLab CI workflows.
  • Experience working on embedded, aerospace, robotics, or other hardware-integrated software systems.
  • Experience optimizing large-scale build systems using Bazel, remote execution, or similar distributed build technologies.
  • Knowledge of linker internals, symbol visibility, and binary analysis tools such as ldd, nm, objdump, and readelf.
  • Familiarity with static and dynamic analysis tools such as Clang-Tidy, AddressSanitizer (ASan), and SonarQube.
For U.S. Roles:

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles:

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

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