Software Engineer

Job Description

Appealing Points

• Take on the challenge of the global space business at a globally-minded startup whose mission is to connect Earth and Space to empower the future.
• Own a wide scope across the whole system, from edge software controlling modems and antenna rotators at remote antenna sites to the pass scheduling API and web console used daily by satellite operators.
• Build a Go-based system connecting ground station hardware worldwide with the cloud via MQTT, using Kubernetes and serverless environments such as AWS Lambda.

Annual Salary: ¥7 million and above

Job Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy and maintain a system that virtualizes diverse ground station networks around the world on a single platform.
• Build fast, scalable backend services in Go, such as pass schedule management, data delivery and ground station management on a global cloud infrastructure.
• Build and operate the MQTT-based data path that sends and receives commands, telemetry and mission data between ground stations and the cloud quickly and reliably.
• Develop intuitive, flexible service management UIs, such as pass schedule settings, SLA monitoring and billing dashboards.
• Work to minimize the onboarding barrier for satellite operators and ground station partners connecting to the platform, accelerating network expansion.
• Develop software that communicates with modems, antenna rotators and receivers over TCP/IP and serial protocols.
• Create tools that improve the platform's efficiency, scalability, security and reliability, reduce vulnerabilities and automate routine tasks.
• Conduct design and code reviews, develop in agile processes, and manage priorities, deadlines and deliverables for your own tasks.
• For candidates with RF strengths:
  • Establish and maintain the process for onboarding low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and ground stations onto the company's platform, and drive projects from proposal through integration testing to production operation.
  • Evaluate customer and partner radio systems remotely and on site, analyze recorded signals and troubleshoot across the entire signal path.
  • Create GNU Radio blocks and scripts and operate software-defined radio (SDR).
  • Configure ground station equipment and verify its operation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Development experience in a Linux/Unix environment.
• Development experience in two or more general-purpose programming languages (Go and Python experience is welcome), with the willingness and ability to learn new languages as needed.
• Development experience on major cloud platforms (especially AWS).
• Understanding of testing methods and practical experience in one or more types of testing (unit, integration, acceptance, UI or performance).
• Practical knowledge of SQL and Git.
• Experience carrying engineering projects through from start to finish while working with teams in different locations and regions.
• Strong passion or interest in satellites, rockets and the aerospace field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Software and cloud:
  • Production development experience in Go.
  • Experience building and operating Kubernetes or serverless architectures (AWS Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, SQS).
  • Knowledge of MQTT (such as AWS IoT Core) and other Pub/Sub messaging systems, and of event-driven architecture.
  • Experience operating Infrastructure as Code with Terraform, Docker and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Experience writing drivers that communicate with servers, devices and sensors over TCP/IP, SNMP, RS-232/422/485, etc.
  • Knowledge of internet routing technologies and advanced network fault diagnosis skills.
  • Experience testing cloud-based or distributed software systems.
  • Front-end development experience with TypeScript / React.
• RF and aerospace:
  • 3+ years of practical experience in the design, development, operation and evaluation of communication systems.
  • Experience tracking and operating LEO satellites, or practical experience operating satellites and ground stations.
  • Experience handling wireless modems and spectrum analyzers.
  • Experience with products from major ground station equipment vendors (Safran Cortex series, Kratos, Amergint, etc.).
  • Practical experience with GNU Radio and software-defined radio (SDR), and skills in analyzing recorded signals.
  • Knowledge of orbital mechanics or flight dynamics.
  • Work experience in the aerospace industry.
  • Professional technical or radio qualifications such as a Class 1 Land Radio Engineer certification.

Language Required:

• Japanese: Business level (JLPT N2) (speaking and writing both required)
• English: Business level (speaking and writing both required)

About Company

We are a satellite Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) provider.

We provide flexible and scalable ground station services enabled by our cloud platform, which virtualises ground station networks. By lowering the barriers to entry in the ground segment, we empower NewSpace businesses to build better missions and improve the quality of their service.

Our cloud platform is a flexible, scalable, satellite ground station sharing platform. After a one-time setup, satellite operators can access any ground station across our global network. The platform also enables ground station owners to monetise their unused capacity by sharing it with satellite operators.

Founded in 2016, our company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and has its European office in the UK.