Ground Software & Systems Manager

Position Title: Ground Software & Systems Manager

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting Direct Hire Ground Software & Systems Manager opportunity located in Berkeley, CA.

Job Responsibilities:

• Mission Operations and Ground Systems Engineering:
  • Ultimately responsible for maintaining both the hardware and software that connects the Mission Operations Center to third-party ground station networks around the world.
  • Supervises and maintains the Ground Station facility (hardware and software).
  • Advanced Software Programming (e.g., C, C++, Python, etc.)
  • Performs the most complex and advanced software programming in the Mission Operations System
  • Develops custom unique code, or code that integrates software tools with commercial or government-furnished tools.
  • Oversees two-way encryption with space assets.
• Systems Design and Development:
  • Designs, develops, modifies, and evaluates software and supporting hardware for functional areas that are highly complex and have broad, mission-wide impact.
  • Helps maintain and evolve the multi-mission Mission Operations Center, as well as the Backup Mission Operations Center
• Program and Partner Support:
  • Supports the flight mission's Program Manager, Systems Engineer, and Mission Operations leads at meetings with NASA and subcontractors as the lead presenter.
  • Travels for troubleshooting of hardware and software systems as required
• NASA and Mission Collaboration:
  • Supports all NASA reviews and ongoing meetings with spacecraft partners (across all missions) as the subject matter expert on Mission Operations System ground systems.
• Technical Oversight and Compliance:
  • Works with spacecraft management to meet technical requirements within schedule and budget.
  • Revises the design and verification as needed.
  • Provides all design and verification data to NASA for integration with the spacecraft.

Job Qualifications:

• Expert-level, system-architect knowledge of full-stack software design, development, and integration in real-time mission operations or comparable high-availability environments
• Proven leadership in resolving anomalies at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems integration in a real-time operational environment
• Experience leading operations where continuous availability (“up-time”) is a critical performance metric
• Experience with IT infrastructure management and architecture, including containers (e.g., Docker), virtualization, cloud vs. on-prem tradeoffs, and failover strategies
• Demonstrated ability to supervise technical staff, set work objectives, and manage project deliverables
• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Direct Hire
• Location: Berkeley, CA.
• Salary Range: $135 – 220k/year
• ITAR obligations are associated with this role, U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a) (1), (3) is required.

About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.