--- title: 'Ground Systems engineer (Ground Operations) at ispace, inc.' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/ground-systems-engineer-ground-operations-ispace-inc-tokyo-vx5p3e8h4ar7' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-08' --- # Ground Systems engineer (Ground Operations) at ispace, inc. - **Company:** ispace, inc. - **Location:** Tokyo, Japan - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-07-23 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/ispace-inc/0cf77e58-74e3-4398-b808-d8c66da2c26e ## Job description ispace is looking for Ground System Engineer to join our growing team in Tokyo. 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? As a Ground Systems Engineer, your work directly enables communication with the spacecraft and underpins every phase of mission test and execution. You play a pivotal role in ensuring that missions are conducted safely, reliably, and efficiently—designing and maintaining the infrastructure, software, and operational workflows that make real-time spacecraft operations possible. Your contributions not only ensure mission success, but also streamline operations and empower flight teams to perform at their best. ## Key responsibilities Ground Segment Design - 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. - Develop automation tools to streamline and optimize mission operations. - Scale the mission control ecosystem to support new missions and evolving operational needs, including make-or-buy analyses and proposal contributions. System Integration & Testing - Oversee the integration of software components within the virtual infrastructure hosting the ground segment, ensuring proper interfacing with spacecraft systems and external ground elements (e.g., EGSE, PIL components). - Develop and execute test plans, procedures, and configurations, including end-to-end validation of communication and control links. - Support CI/CD activities across the ground segment. Operations Support - Develop, test, and validate operational procedures. - Participate in training activities and mission rehearsals to achieve certification for on-console operations. - 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 critical mission phases. Compliance - Collaborate with IT to ensure that the Mission Control Center and ground segment comply with security, data protection, and relevant policies and certifications, as defined by the Chief Information Officer and Information Security Officer. Required skills - Language: Professional level English (written and verbal); Business level Japanese for non Japanese candidate will be a plus - Experience: 3+ years of experience in ground operations for space missions (LEO, MEO, Deep Space, etc.) - Simulation & Integration: Experience with SIL, PIL, HIL, or mixed hardware-software environments - Software Skills: Proficiency using Python and Bash; strong expertise in CI/CD tools such as Ansible, Gitlab - Operative systems: Solid knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems. - 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 production environment - Experience with Docker and Kubernetes - Experience with relational and non-relational databases (SQL, MongoDb, Influx, etc.) - Familiar with network protocols and tools - Familiar with AWS Tools - Experience in the space industry We will prioritize candidates currently reside in Japan with valid working visa for the role. Relocation will be required for overseas candidate. ## About ispace, inc. ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: ispace is a global lunar exploration company developing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon and building the foundation for a sustainable cislunar economy. - **Entity Type**: Public (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2023) - **Headquarters**: Tokyo, Japan (with offices in Denver, Colorado, USA and Luxembourg) - **Founded**: September 2010 - **Founders**: Takeshi Hakamada (Founder & CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Space exploration / Lunar transportation services - **Target customers**: B2B (space agencies, commercial payload operators, research organizations) - **Mission**: “Extend the sphere of human life into space and create a sustainable world by providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon.” ## Products & Services - **Lunar Lander Missions**: ispace designs, builds and operates robotic lunar landers. Current missions include “Mission 2.5” and the upcoming “Mission 3” featuring the new larger ULTRA lander. - **Payload Development & Integration**: Offers payload hosting and development services for lunar orbiting and landing missions. - **Lunar Surface Data**: Sale and survey of Moon surface data for research and commercial use. - **Space Resource R&D**: Research and development focused on utilizing lunar water resources. - **Marketing Support**: Supports space content industries with marketing services related to lunar activities. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in provided sources (publicly listed, market cap fluctuates) - **Key Metric**: Total funding record – raised a record 10.35 billion yen in Series A in 2017 (private round). As a public company, revenue is reported but not listed in these materials. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: The company evolved from Team HAKUTO, a finalist in the Google Lunar XPRIZE. Global presence includes ispace technologies U.S. inc. and ispace Europe SA. - **Growth Signals**: - 317 employees as of March 31, 2025 - First Japanese space company to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (2023) - Multiple missions in the pipeline (Mission 2.5, Mission 3 with ULTRA lander) - Global offices in Japan, USA, and Luxembourg ## Competitive Advantages - **Early mover in commercial lunar services**: One of the few private companies with flight heritage (first mission launched in 2022). - **End‑to‑end lunar transportation**: Offers landers, payload integration, and data services – a vertically integrated lunar logistics provider. - **Global footprint**: Engineering and business presence across three continents enables access to diverse customers and talent. - **Heritage from Google Lunar XPRIZE**: Team HAKUTO experience provides technical and operational credibility. ## Strategic Focus ispace is focused on achieving high‑frequency, low‑cost lunar transportation to construct an Earth‑Moon economic zone. Key priorities include: - Launching Mission 2.5 and the larger ULTRA lander on Mission 3 - Developing space resource utilization (especially water on the Moon) - Expanding payload and data services to support a growing cislunar infrastructure - Scaling globally through its offices in Japan, the US, and Europe ## Why Work Here - **Diverse, inclusive culture**: As of December 2025, ispace reports ~24% non‑Japanese nationality and ~45% Japanese nationality, reflecting a commitment to global diversity. - **Mission‑driven team**: “Driven by a shared passion, our Crew of engineers, scientists and experts are shaping the future of space.” - **Work options**: Roles range from on‑site (Tokyo, Denver, Luxembourg) to hybrid (Tokyo CFO Office). Engineering roles include R&D, propulsion, GNC, and spacecraft systems. - **Fast‑growing organization**: 317 employees and growing, with a clear trajectory of missions and revenue expansion. - **Perks & culture**: Emphasis on inclusive hiring, professional development, and equitable pay; “true innovation comes when diverse viewpoints collaborate as equals.” ## Sources 1. [ispace Home Page](https://www.ispace-inc.com/) 2. [About Us – ispace](https://2022.ispace-inc.com/aboutus) 3. [Careers – ispace](https://www.ispace-inc.com/careers/) 4. [Career Overview – ispace](https://www.ispace-inc.com/career-overview/) 5. [Open Positions – ispace (Lever)](https://jobs.lever.co/ispace-inc) ## Other roles at ispace, inc. - [Cultural Development Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/cultural-development-specialist-ispace-inc-tokyo-drggmdfvwqbg) — Tokyo, Japan - [Senior Embedded Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-embedded-software-engineer-ispace-inc-tokyo-fgwwc6e7napr) — Tokyo, Japan - [Embedded Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/embedded-software-engineer-ispace-inc-tokyo-394fqkcg0qvq) — Tokyo, Japan - [Deputy Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/deputy-project-manager-ispace-inc-luxembourg-r3wpz7zd06m4) — Luxembourg - [Product Assurance Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/product-assurance-engineer-ispace-inc-luxembourg-a3dw8z8f5578) — Luxembourg - [General Affairs & Executive Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/general-affairs-executive-assistant-ispace-inc-luxembourg-28h1mht11hn3) — Luxembourg - [Senior Consolidated Accounting Officer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-consolidated-accounting-officer-ispace-inc-tokyo-0caghgk0q9nb) — Tokyo, Japan - [IT Analyst – Engineering Applications](https://feeny.ai/job/it-analyst-engineering-applications-ispace-inc-tokyo-6c9zbr1bn06v) — Tokyo, Japan - [Legal Counsel](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-counsel-ispace-inc-englewood-7v2q6j9mczb6) — Englewood, CO - [Structural Analysis Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/structural-analysis-engineer-ispace-inc-tokyo-y3t1v37s4jxf) — Tokyo, Japan