Senior Backend Software Engineer
Senior backend engineer on Spire's Sat OS team builds the satellite-side operating system and Rust-based file transfer services moving data to and from the nanosatellite fleet, plus ground/cloud (AWS) services with observability and security. Hybrid role in Boulder, CO with at least 3 days per week in office.
- Compensation
- $130K–$171K / yr
- Location
- Boulder, Colorado, United States
- Work setup
- Hybrid
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Category
- Backend
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 5+ years' experience in professional software development
- Production-grade software development using at least one compiled language
- Proficiency in Python or equivalent high-level language
- Knowledge of Linux-based development
- Excellent documentation, collaboration, and communication skills
- Systems-level thinking (distributed, scalable, highly available)
- Hands-on experience with Cloud Computing Platforms (AWS), IaC and modern CI/CD pipelines
- Knowledge of version control systems
- Ability to work a minimum of three days per week in the Boulder office (hybrid)
Nice to have
- Proficiency in Python and Rust
- Experience working under regulatory frameworks such as NIST and FAR
- Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and platforms such as Wiz
- Experience operating a live, highly available critical system at scale
- Experience writing applications between L3 and L7 networking layers and familiarity with L2/L3 protocols
- Experience with modern AI development tooling
- Proficiency in scripting languages like Bash
Full description
The Role:
Due to team growth, we are seeking an experienced Software Engineer to join our Sat OS team, which develops the high-level operating system and file transfer layer for the spacecraft
The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing software for our satellite systems, contributing to the expansion and enhancement of our space and ground-based data transfer capabilities. Ideal candidates will embrace the commercialization of nanosatellite systems and adapt to low-cost, fast-paced systems design, development, and implementation methodologies that set Spire apart from our competition. In this fast-paced environment, the design to launch cycle is measured in weeks and months, not years!
**What You’ll Do as a Sat OS Software Engineer:
- Develop and enhance satellite-side applications with a focus on file transfer to and from the satellite and its payloads
- Contribute to the design and implementation of the next generation of Spire’s File Transfer architecture (Rust)
- Ensure that Spire’s file transfer services meet internal and mission-driven security standards
- Enhance observability and fault-tolerance of Spire’s file transfer services
- Take responsibility for the performance of critical file transfer services that contribute to the movement of data to and from Spire’s entire fleet of nanosatellites
- Contribute to the design and implementation of highly available, fault-tolerant systems to meet the demands of new customer missions
- Perform ground-based testing and in-orbit verification of new software services
- Coordinate closely with Spire’s communications team, systems engineering, product owners, and internal customers to ensure alignment and optimal integration with interfacing hardware and software services
- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for APIs and system architectures
- Implement observability solutions for space and ground-based services to provide a clear and actionable view of service performance
**Basic Skills/Qualifications:
- 5+ years’ experience in professional software development
- Proven experience in production-grade software development using at least one compiled language
- Proficiency in Python or equivalent high-level language
- Knowledge of Linux-based development
- Excellent documentation, collaboration, and communication skills
- Systems-level thinking (distributed, scalable, highly available) with an appetite for creating and adapting applications