Senior Backend Software Engineer – Satellite Operating System

Job overview

The Senior Backend Software Engineer – Satellite Operating System role is hybrid in Boulder, CO, with a minimum of three days per week in the office. Compensation is $130,000–$171,000 per year. The engineer joins Spire’s Sat OS team, which develops the spacecraft’s high-level operating system and file-transfer layer; Spire says it improves life on Earth with data from space. The engineer develops and enhances satellite-side software and file-transfer services, contributing to secure, observable, fault-tolerant data movement across Spire’s nanosatellite fleet. The role also supports ground-based testing, in-orbit verification, and integration with communications, systems engineering, product, and internal customer teams.

What you'll do

• Develop satellite-side applications for file transfer to and from satellites and payloads
• contribute to the next-generation file-transfer architecture in Rust
• meet security standards
• improve observability and fault tolerance
• own performance of critical file-transfer services
• design highly available systems
• perform ground-based testing and in-orbit verification
• coordinate with communications, systems engineering, product owners, and internal customers
• maintain API and architecture documentation.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

senior backend software engineer

satellite operating system

hybrid

boulder co

spire

$130k–$171k/year

rust

python

linux

aws

ci/cd

file transfer

nanosatellites

fault-tolerant systems

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Vacation, sick, and personal time off
• optional medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• 401(k)
• health and wellness reimbursement
• employee stock purchase plan
• education assistance
• employee assistance program
• family leave
• fitness reimbursement.

Why this role

Hybrid work model requiring at least three office days per week; role focuses on backend and platform systems for satellite and ground-based data transfer.

About the employer

Spire is hiring for this role. Industry: Software Publishers. Sector: 51.