Ground Systems Engineer (Developer)
Summary
Designs and maintains mission control software and ground systems for spacecraft operations, handling telemetry, telecommands, and automation tools in a hybrid Tokyo-based role.
The Ground Systems team forms the backbone of ispace’s Test and Flight Operations, delivering the infrastructure, systems, and tools required to support mission testing and operational activities across the full mission lifecycle. This includes the design, development, and maintenance of the Mission Control Center, Mission Control Software, operational toolchains, and end-to-end test environments that ensure mission readiness.
As a Ground Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of Mission Control Software supporting ispace’s global operations. You will oversee the end-to-end data flow between users and the spacecraft, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient handling of telemetry and telecommand data. This includes defining and implementing data encoding, processing, and encryption mechanisms across the ground segment and its interfaces.
- Type: Full-time Position
- Location: Hybrid (Tokyo, Japan) On site at least twice a week with remote option
- Experience Level: See Qualifications below
- Group: JP Ground Systems Group, JP Test and Flight Operations Division
Why this role matters?
Key responsibilities
- Collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders (System and Subsystem Engineers,AIT, Mission Operations, etc.) to gather requirements, and design, develop, document,procure, maintain, and deploy ground segment systems.
- Design, develop, and maintain cloud-native ground segment software applications andmicroservices, including mission control systems, automation tools, and data pipelines.
- Design, deploy, and maintain cloud infrastructure on AWS, including containerisedenvironments using Docker and Kubernetes, ensuring reliability, scalability, and security ofground segment services.
- Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines (GitLab, Ansible) for continuous delivery of groundsegment software components.
- Oversee the integration of software components within the virtual infrastructure hosting theground segment, ensuring proper interfacing with spacecraft systems and external groundelements (e.g., EGSE, PIL components).
- Develop and execute test plans, procedures, and configurations, including end-to-end validation of communication and control links.
- Support V&V activities across the ground segment.
- Develop, test, and validate operational procedures.
- Participate in training activities and mission rehearsals to achieve certification for on-consoleoperations.
- Own and maintain Ground-to-Ground Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and contribute to Space-to-Ground ICDs with ground station providers.
- Support on-console operations, including 24/7 shift work and on-call duties during criticalmission phases.
Required skills
- Language: Professional level English (written and verbal); Japanese is a plus.
- Experience: 3+ years of experience in ground systems engineering or software development for space missions (LEO, MEO, Deep Space, etc.).
- Cloud & Infrastructure: Hands-on experience with AWS and container orchestration using Docker and Kubernetes.
- Software Skills: Proficiency using Python and Bash; strong expertise in CI/CD tools such as Ansible, Gitlab.
- Operating systems: Solid knowledge of Linux; familiarity with Windows environments.
- Self-driven: Be organized and capable of planning and executing complex technical work with little oversight. Be driven, continuously self-improving, and proud of her/his work.
Preferred skills
- Experience with mission control systems (e.g., Yamcs, Grafana).
- Familiarity with CCSDS protocols, telemetry processing, and commanding chains.
- Full-stack engineering experience developing high-availability tools in a productionenvironment.
- Experience with relational and non-relational databases (SQL, MongoDb, Influx, etc.)
- Familiar with network protocols and tools.
- Experience in the space industry.
Skills
As published by lever · 4 questions · 1 written answer
Basics
Resume/CV, Full name, Pronouns, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, Twitter URL, GitHub URL, Portfolio URL, Other website, 1. あなたの性別を教えてください。What gender do you identify as?, 2. あなたの年齢を教えてください。What is your age range?, 3. 国籍/出身を教えてください。What is your nationality ?Select all that apply, 4. 障害の有無について教えてください。Do you have a disabilitiy?
Pick from a list (3)
- Are you currently within commuting distance of our office, or are you willing to relocate? 現在、弊社オフィスへの通勤が可能な距離にお住まいですか？または、転居のご意向はありますか？ optional
- Are you legally authorized to work in Japan? 日本での就労に関して、法的に許可されていますか？ optional
- Due to Japan’s export control regulations, certain roles may have nationality-related restrictions. Do you consent to providing your nationality information for eligibility confirmation? 日本の輸出管理規制により、一部の職種には国籍に関する制限があります。国籍情報の確認にご同意いただけますか？
Written answers (1)
- If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please indicate the passport you currently hold. If you do not consent to providing nationality information, please enter N/A. 前問で「はい」と回答された方は、現在保有しているパスポートの国籍をご記入ください。 国籍情報の提供に同意されない場合は、「N/A」とご記入ください。 optional