Senior Backend Software Engineer

About Spire: 

Spire Global is a space-powered data and analytics platform that offers unique insights and powerful solutions about Earth from the ultimate vantage point – space – so organizations can act now and plan for the future with confidence, accuracy and speed. Leveraging its proprietary multi-purpose satellite constellation and sophisticated predictive analytics, Spire gives commercial and government organizations an unprecedented competitive advantage to solve their toughest challenges, empowered with knowledge from space.  

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

Key Skills:

• 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
• Hands-on experience with Cloud Computing Platforms (AWS), IaC and modern CI/CD pipelines
• Knowledge of version control systems

Preferred Skills:

• 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 with 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

This role is primarily backend and platform focused. We are generally looking for engineers with stronger backend and systems experience rather than heavily frontend-focused backgrounds.

Spire operates a hybrid work model, and this position will require you to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Access to US export-controlled software and/or technology may be required for this role. If needed, Spire will arrange the necessary licenses—this is not something candidates need to have before applying.  _#LI-MK1