--- title: 'Mission Operations Ground Software Engineering Lead at Quantum Space' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-ground-software-engineering-lead-quantum-space-hawthorne-wn3r03nv70p9' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-01' --- # Mission Operations Ground Software Engineering Lead at Quantum Space - **Company:** Quantum Space - **Location:** Hawthorne, CA - **Posted:** 2026-10-27 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-01 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4469979009 ## Job description Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly. Who We’re Looking For We are seeking a highly skilled Mission Operations Ground Software Engineering Lead to lead the development, integration, and operational support of software systems that enable spacecraft testing, mission operations, and real-time ground communications. This role is ideal for an experienced software engineer who thrives at the intersection of distributed systems, mission operations, infrastructure, and real-time data processing. You will play a key role in building the software platforms and operational tooling that support spacecraft integration, command and telemetry workflows, and mission readiness throughout the vehicle lifecycle. You will work closely with flight software, AI&T, mission operations, avionics, and systems engineering teams to develop scalable and reliable ground software solutions that support both integration and on-orbit operations. Where You’ll Make an Impact - Lead design, development, and deployment of ground software components including payload data pipelines, telemetry processing, event handling, dashboards, tool development, and automated monitoring. - Own major portions of the ground segment architecture and guide long‑term technical direction. - Develop tools and automation to improve reliability, operator efficiency, and system observability across satellite missions. - Work with mission operators, mission design and analysis, and systems engineering to understand operational workflows and translate them into software solutions. - Lead integration of new spacecraft, subsystems, and communication interfaces into the ground system. - Implement scalable microservices, APIs, and data pipelines to support real-time and offline mission operations. - Ensure system resiliency, security, and performance through testing, code review, CI/CD, and operational best practices. - Support anomaly investigations by building diagnostic tools, analyzing telemetry flows, and identifying root causes within the ground architecture. - Mentor junior and mid‑level engineers; contribute to engineering standards and best practices. What It Takes - Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, software engineering, or a related technical field. - 5+ years of software engineering experience, including production experience developing complex systems. - Strong proficiency in at least one major programming language (Python, Go, C++, or Java). - Experience developing distributed systems, APIs, or microservices architectures. - Familiarity with cloud platforms, containerization (Docker), and orchestration frameworks (Kubernetes). - Understanding of satellite operations concepts, telemetry/command systems, or communication protocols. - Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and code quality practices. Nice-to-Have Experience - Prior experience developing spacecraft ground systems, mission control software, or telemetry/command frameworks. - Experience with message bus or streaming technologies (Kafka, MQTT, Redis Streams). - Knowledge of CCSDS standards (telemetry, command, SM&C, file delivery). - Experience building operational UIs, dashboards, or visualization tools. - Contributions to system architecture decisions, scaling strategies, and infrastructure automation. - Experience supporting real‑time or mission‑critical operational environments. - Familiarity with RF systems, link-layer protocols, or satellite network configurations. ## What You’ll Get - Ownership – Lead the development of mission-critical ground software that supports spacecraft integration, testing, command and telemetry, and on-orbit operations from concept through deployment. - Innovation – Build scalable software platforms, distributed systems, and operational tools that power the next generation of spacecraft missions and enable reliable space operations. - Impact – Develop the software infrastructure that connects engineering, integration, and mission operations teams, directly contributing to the success of every spacecraft mission. - Growth – Expand your expertise in ground systems, mission operations, cloud infrastructure, and distributed software while influencing technical architecture, engineering standards, and the future of Quantum Space’s software ecosystem. - Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing. Location: Hawthorne, CA Base Salary: $140,000-165,000 The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package. Additional Requirements To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft. ## About Quantum Space ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Quantum Space is building the next generation of advanced, maneuverable spacecraft (the Ranger platform) to disrupt the orbital economy by reducing the cost of operating across every orbit the nation needs to hold, from LEO through GEO and out to cislunar space. - **Entity Type**: Private (going public via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI; anticipated ticker QSPC) - **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States - **Founded**: 2022 - **Founders**: Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman & Co-founder), Ben Reed (Chief Technology Officer), Adarsh Parekh (President & Co-founder), Kerry Wisnosky (Co-founder) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security Space, Cislunar Infrastructure - **Target customers**: Primarily Government (U.S. national security space agencies, Space Force, NASA, DARPA) - **Mission or purpose statement**: To enable the freedom to maneuver in space for the United States, providing a maneuver-first architecture engineered for multi-orbit operations at scale. ## Products & Services - **Ranger Spacecraft Platform**: A highly maneuverable orbital transfer and servicing platform. Key specs include up to 4,000+ kg of storable hydrazine, multi-mode propulsion, a 15-year operational life, on-orbit refueling capability, and a modular payload architecture. It is designed to reach GEO and beyond at up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures. - **Space Domain Awareness**: Providing ubiquitous awareness of activities on orbit, delivering actionable intelligence. - **Payload Hosting & Data Services**: A standardized platform capable of being configured for any mission at any orbit, hosting government and commercial payloads. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for the private company; the SPAC merger agreement values the combined entity, but specific valuation is not publicly available. - **Key Metric**: $88M+ in secured government contracts. Total funding of $56.1M across 6 prior funding rounds. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (SPAC merger partner); Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (also founded Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), X-energy (NASDAQ: XE), Axiom Space); Jim Bridenstine (CEO, former NASA Administrator). - **Growth Signals**: Aggressive hiring with 31 active job postings and +158.3% monthly job posting growth; acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets in September 2025; constructing a manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport; awarded a DARPA LASSO contract; going public via SPAC merger. ## Competitive Advantages - **Massive Fuel Capacity & Maneuverability**: 4,000+ kg of storable fuel is significantly more than current spacecraft, and the multi-mode propulsion allows for speed, efficiency, and flexibility across all orbits. - **Refuelable & Modular Architecture**: Designed for on-orbit refueling and a modular payload system, enabling long-duration missions (15 years) and rapid reconfiguration. - **Deep IP Moat**: 17 issued and pending patents protecting the core technology. - **Cost Disruption**: Claims up to 70% cost reduction for operations beyond LEO and up to 10x+ launch cost savings compared to conventional architectures. - **National Security Focus**: Deeply embedded with U.S. Space Command and national security priorities, with leadership that includes former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a 40-year Missile Defense Agency veteran. ## Strategic Focus - **Golden Dome / National Security**: The company's Ranger spacecraft is positioned as a key platform for the proposed "Golden Dome" national security space architecture. - **SPAC Merger & Public Listing**: Completing the merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI to go public under the ticker QSPC. - **Manufacturing Expansion**: Building out manufacturing capacity in Tulsa, OK, and Huntsville, AL, to scale production of the Ranger platform. - **Cislunar Operations**: Developing capabilities for operations in cislunar space, including winning the DARPA LASSO contract. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven**: The company is focused on a critical national security mission, offering employees a chance to work on technology that directly impacts U.S. space superiority. - **High Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling from a startup to a public company, with aggressive hiring, new facility construction, and major government contracts. - **Flexible Work Environment**: The company emphasizes work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements. Roles are available across multiple locations (Rockville, MD; Huntsville, AL; Hawthorne, CA; Tulsa, OK). - **Competitive Compensation**: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous leave (including parental leave), FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing. - **Tight-Knit Team**: Described as a fast-paced, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists, offering exposure to the full lifecycle of mission development, launch, and operations. ## Sources 1. [quantumspace.us](https://www.quantumspace.us/) 2. [quantumspace.us/about](https://www.quantumspace.us/about) 3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumspace-us) 4. [investors.quantumspace.us](https://investors.quantumspace.us/) 5. [Greenhouse Careers Page](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4193183009) ## Other roles at Quantum Space - [Software Test & Automation Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/software-test-automation-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-prg2hnbt7en5) — Rockville, MD - [Thermal Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/thermal-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-jmdgrr0v7wb7) — Rockville, MD - [EGSE/Avionics Test Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/egse-avionics-test-software-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-7sc3mcht5r5p) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA - [Propulsion Engineer II (Analyst)](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-ii-analyst-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-zsvbywma7nwk) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA - [Propulsion Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-nvb05k58dvvr) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA - [Mission Operations Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-ii-quantum-space-hawthorne-asvhk4wramzs) — Hawthorne, CA - [Mission Operations Engineer I](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-i-quantum-space-hawthorne-qk5gmgdqyf98) — Hawthorne, CA - [Technical Recruiter (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-recruiter-contract-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-tulsa-dr9agf6m15jr) — Rockville MD OR Tulsa, OK - [Special Security Officer (SSO)](https://feeny.ai/job/special-security-officer-sso-quantum-space-hawthorne-hhqbs6aeh42j) — Hawthorne, CA - [Controller](https://feeny.ai/job/controller-quantum-space-rockville-am48bcdwcm6x) — Rockville, MD