ispace, inc. is a global lunar resource development company with the vision, “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” specializing in designing and building lunar landers and rovers. ispace aims to extend the sphere of human life into space and create a sustainable world by providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon. The company has offices in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States and is growing rapidly. ispace Technologies U.S., based in Englewood, Colorado, focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers.
With locations in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, ispace is positioned to be a global leader in the exploration and development of the moon. Let's go to the moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively looking for great people to join the ispace mission.
ispace Technologies U.S. is seeking a highly motivated, talented, and experienced Mission Operations Ground Software Engineer to join its team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software systems used for mission operations. This involves writing code, debugging, and ensuring software quality and reliability.
- Collaborating with stakeholders to develop software tools and interfaces for planning and executing mission activities based on system requirements. This includes scheduling spacecraft maneuvers, executing payload operations, and other mission-critical tasks.
- Providing real-time support on console during mission operations, including monitoring telemetry, analyzing system performance, and responding to anomalies or emergencies as they arise.
- Integrating ground software systems with spacecraft hardware and other ground support equipment. Conducting comprehensive testing to verify system functionality and performance in simulated and operational environments.
- Managing software configurations and ensuring proper version control throughout the development lifecycle. This includes documenting changes, maintaining a repository of software artifacts, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
- Creating and maintaining documentation for software systems, including user manuals, system requirements, and operational procedures. Providing training and support to mission operators and other stakeholders to ensure they can effectively use the software tools.
- Working closely with cross-functional teams, including spacecraft engineers, mission planners, and other software developers, to coordinate activities and address technical challenges. Communicating effectively to ensure alignment on project goals, timelines, and priorities.
- Participating in post-mission reviews and lessons learned exercises to identify areas for improvement and implement enhancements to software systems and operational processes.
- Stay current with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
- Provide input to Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Concept of Operations (ConOps), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)/Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) processes, and other essential documentation.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Serve as one of several ispace U.S. operators on console in person in Tokyo, Japan for ispace inc’s M2 lunar lander mission. This support will last up to a total of ~8 weeks between November 2024 and July 2025. This duration will nominally be broken into two periods of ~4 weeks of support with time in between each period to return to the US. All travel related expenses will be paid for by ispace (flights, lodging, food, phone, transportation).
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. Advanced degrees are preferred. We will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
- 5+ years of experience in software development, preferably in the aerospace or mission operations domain
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, or similar
- Experience with configuration management tools (Ansible/Puppet), version control systems (Git/Bitbucket), containerization technologies (Docker/Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipeline
- Familiarity with mission control systems (YAMCS), telemetry visualization platforms (Grafana), time series databases (InfluxDB), spacecraft systems, mission planning concepts, and ground segment architectures
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Can adapt to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Competitive salary based upon experience - $120,000-130,000. The salary posted is a targeted range for budget of position. Base compensation can be negotiated and will be commensurate with experience, skills, education, and training.
- Medical/vision/dental health benefits (Some 100% company paid options available for employee only)
- Hybrid work schedule
- Company-paid public transportation on RTD buses and light rail (RTD EcoPass)
- Paid vacation (18 days), Sick days (6 days), Holidays (14 paid holidays)
- 401(k)
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace 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.
All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.
ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.
ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.
