Job Description
At Turion Space, you'll join a dynamic team dedicated to pioneering space technology and innovation. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll architect the systems that control spacecraft in orbit, build the AI infrastructure that makes satellites autonomous, and create the platform that will power the commercial space economy.
This isn't just another SaaS job. You'll build Mission Control systems that operators use to command real satellites, process downlinks from space, and make split-second decisions that affect millions of dollars of hardware flying at 17,500 mph.
What You'll Actually Build:
Next-Generation Mission Control Systems
Architect the future of spacecraft operations—think SpaceX-level mission control, but as a platform for the entire industry
Build real-time systems that visualize satellite constellations, predict orbital mechanics, and automate complex mission sequences
Create interfaces that let operators control multiple spacecraft simultaneously with the ease of managing cloud infrastructure
Design systems that scale from single satellites to mega-constellations of thousands
Mission Intelligence & Automation
Support autonomous operations - Support ML models for real-time debris avoidance, anomaly detection, and autonomous retasking based on threats or opportunities
Integrate space domain awareness ML - Detect and characterize unknown satellites, track missiles, and identify adversarial maneuvers using computer vision and RF fingerprinting
Scale to millions of objects - Build hyper-performance systems tracking everything from debris to spacecraft across multiple sensor modalities
Universal Autonomy Platform - Create APIs that let any company add autonomous capabilities to their operations, making autonomous operations the industry standard
The Commercial Space Platform
Build the end-to-end platform powering Turion's commercial operations and our customers'
Design APIs for satellite tasking that let customers request imagery as easily as calling an Uber
Architect uplink/downlink processing systems that handle terabytes of space data daily
Create the infrastructure for mission planning across constellations—coordinating Earth observation, non-Earth imaging, and communications satellites
Build the Stripe/AWS of space—the platform every space company will use to operate their missions
Your Mission: Lead the engineering effort to transform how humanity operates in space. You'll own the full stack—from React interfaces that operators love, to distributed systems processing satellite commands, to APIs that make space accessible to any developer. Your code will literally control spacecraft and enable missions that protect national security, monitor climate change, and expand human presence beyond Earth.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the software engineering process from concept to orbit-ready systems, setting technical direction for products that operate spacecraft
Mentor and guide a team of engineers building some of the most complex software on (and off) Earth
Engage with satellite operators and mission planners to understand their needs, turning space operations challenges into elegant software solutions
Architect mission-critical systems including next-gen Mission Control, AI inference platforms, and commercial space APIs
Build and maintain APIs that let any developer integrate space capabilities into their applications
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Astrodynamics, Flight Software, Hardware, AI researchers, and spacecraft operators
Drive architectural decisions for systems that must be more reliable than traditional tech—there's no re-deploying a satellite
Deliver solutions that simplify space operations, making controlling satellites as intuitive as deploying to AWS
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
5+ years of software development experience, with a track record of leading projects or teams
Expertise in full-stack development and proven ability to design, build, and test complex systems
Experience with cloud-native architectures, microservices, and distributed systems
Ability to be on call for mission-critical operations (yes, satellites don't sleep)
Must be able to obtain Secret and/or TS/SCI clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
Proficiency in Go, Python, or JavaScript/TypeScript, with strong API development experience
PostgreSQL, Clickhouse, or MySQL expertise—our satellites generate a lot of telemetry
Advanced React knowledge for building operator interfaces that visualize space in real-time
Production experience with systems that can't go down
Familiarity with NoSQL databases for handling unstructured data
Kubernetes experience
AWS experience (EKS, EC2, Batch, S3, Lambda)
Experience with data engineering and real-time processing
Passion for space exploration and building humanity's future beyond Earth
Why This Role is Different:
Your code will command actual spacecraft in orbit
You'll build the Mission Control that every space startup dreams of having
The AI systems you integrate will make satellites truly autonomous for the first time
You're not building another B2B SaaS—you're building the operating system for the space economy
The Bottom Line: While others debate microservices vs monoliths, you'll be architecting systems that guide satellites through space. While they optimize database queries, you'll be processing downlinks from orbit. While they A/B test button colors, you'll be building interfaces that help operators prevent satellite collisions.
If you've ever watched a SpaceX launch and thought "I want to build the software that makes that possible"—this is your chance. Join us in making space operations as elegant as the best consumer software, except our users are flying spacecraft.
ITAR Requirements:
This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:
Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.
Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future.
Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.
Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.
Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.
We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.
Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Compensation Range: $140K - $213K