--- title: 'Mission Software Engineer at Orbital Insight' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mission-software-engineer-orbital-insight-united-states-prrfxt216cr7' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-20' --- # Mission Software Engineer at Orbital Insight - **Company:** Orbital Insight - **Location:** United States - **Work type:** remote - **Posted:** 2026-09-15 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-20 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/privateer/jobs/5425249008 ## Job description Privateer Space, Inc., leverages geospatial data and artificial intelligence to provide critical insights across a variety of sectors and applications. In short, we help our customers know more, know better, and do better. Privateer is a leader in Earth intelligence and AI, integrating data from sea to space and everything in between to sculpt information into answers. Its advanced, user-centric geospatial analytics platform enables organizations to understand the present, anticipate the future, and make better decisions in the face of complex challenges. Co-founded by Apple pioneer Steve Wozniak, the company is committed to unlocking the valuable insights that will help problem-solvers address the world's toughest challenges and drive shared, sustainable use of our resources – on Earth and beyond. ## THE ROLE We are seeking a Mission Solutions/Software Engineer to help Privateer translate complex customer mission challenges into secure, resilient software solutions that deliver meaningful operational impact. As a technical leader within Business Development, you will bridge customer needs and Privateer’s technology, applying your engineering expertise and mission understanding to solve challenges in classified, contested, and disconnected environments. You will help shape how Privateer delivers mission-critical capabilities across cloud, edge, and on-premises environments while influencing customer outcomes, solution strategy, and the evolution of our products. Working across Engineering, Product, Cybersecurity, DevSecOps, and Business Development, you will play a critical role in connecting mission priorities to differentiated technology and advancing solutions that support Privateer’s growth and customer success. ## WHAT YOU’LL DO - Serve as the Business Development team’s technical lead throughout the opportunity lifecycle, from customer discovery through closure. - Engage customers and mission users to uncover operational needs, constraints, priorities, and decision criteria. - Translate customer requirements into differentiated solution concepts, architectures, implementation approaches, and value propositions. - Develop technical win strategies, resolve technical objections, and support opportunity qualification and capture decisions. - Lead technical demonstrations, prototypes, presentations, white papers, proposals, and responses to solicitations. - Coordinate with product, engineering, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, and industry partners to develop credible, executable solutions. - Architect mission software across cloud, edge, and on-premises environments using microservices, event-driven architectures, modular monoliths, and Modular Open Systems Approaches. - Design for classified, disconnected, intermittent, and bandwidth-limited environments. - Shape secure, resilient, scalable, and ATO-ready solutions using Agile delivery, AI-assisted development, automated CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, testing, and observability. - Apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate development, improve decision support, and solve operational challenges. - Communicate technical value, architectures, risks, and tradeoffs to technical, operational, acquisition, and executive audiences. - Maintain technical continuity through negotiations and opportunity closure, supporting transition from proposed solution to delivery. - Help define reusable solution patterns and technical standards for Privateer’s mission software portfolio. ## REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. - Active Secret clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI eligibility. - Ability to travel up to 25% + of the time - 3+ years of experience applying AI tools and techniques to software development, with a demonstrated ability to leverage AI to solve complex engineering problems. - Experience designing, architecting, and delivering large-scale software systems in complex or mission-critical environments. - Strong full-stack software development experience, with the ability to contribute across application, backend, and systems layers. - Experience with modern Agile DevSecOps practices, including automated CI/CD, cloud architecture, and Infrastructure as Code. - Working knowledge of cybersecurity, authorization, and accreditation requirements for software supporting defense or other highly regulated environments. - Experience engaging directly with customers or operational stakeholders to understand mission needs, workflows, technical challenges, and desired outcomes. - Ability to translate mission and customer needs into differentiated technical solutions, architectures, prototypes, and demonstrations. - Experience developing and presenting technical materials, including solution architectures, demonstrations, proposals, white papers, and technical responses. - Strong communication and stakeholder-engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts, articulate value, and influence technical and non-technical audiences. - Mission-focused and adaptable mindset, with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced environments where requirements evolve and software directly supports high-consequence missions. ## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience deploying software in classified, contested, disconnected, or edge environments. - Familiarity with Modular Open Systems Approaches and Model-Based Systems Engineering. - Experience integrating AI or machine learning into operational software systems. - Knowledge of defense acquisition, cybersecurity, and ATO processes. - Experience working directly with warfighters, mission operators, or government technical stakeholders. ## COMPENSATION US Salary Range: $160,000.00 - 200,000.00 The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers, and are considered part of Privateer’s total compensation package. ## BENEFITS We believe great work happens when talented people have the flexibility, support, and resources to do their best work. We offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support our employees both at work and in life, including: - Competitive Compensation: Competitive base salary and opportunities for additional performance-based compensation, where applicable. - Top-Tier Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with 100% of employee premiums covered by the company. - Flexible Time Off: A flexible time-off approach that gives employees the autonomy to take the time they need to recharge, travel, spend time with family, or simply unplug. - Work-Life Flexibility: A flexible, trust-based work environment designed to help employees balance meaningful work with life outside of work. - Paid Company Holidays: Time away to celebrate and recharge throughout the year. - Fun, Collaborative Culture: A team that values innovation, humor, collaboration, and having fun while doing meaningful, high-impact work. Benefits are subject to applicable plan terms, eligibility requirements, and company policies. ## About Orbital Insight ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Orbital Insight is a geospatial analytics company that analyzes satellite, drone, and other aerial imagery combined with AI to provide business and strategic insights, now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Privateer Space, Inc. - **Entity Type**: Private (Acquired by Privateer Space, Inc. in May 2024; prior to acquisition, it was a venture-backed private company) - **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States (also operates offices in New York, NY; Arlington, VA; and has presence in Brazil, Japan, and Indonesia) - **Founded**: 2013 - **Founders**: James Crawford ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Geospatial Analytics, Defense & Intelligence, Commercial Satellite Imagery, AI/ML Data Processing - **Target customers**: B2B, Enterprise, Government (Defense & Civil), Commercial sectors (Insurance, Energy, Finance, Supply Chain, Agriculture) - **Mission or purpose statement**: To empower problem-solvers by providing unprecedented access to tools that help them understand the present and anticipate the future. ## Products & Services - **Elements Platform**: An all-domain data fusion platform that delivers AI-powered insights across land, sea, air, space, and cyber. Integrates satellite, terrestrial, and customer data streams for applications including traffic monitoring, supply chain analysis, pattern-of-life monitoring, vessel tracking, GNSS interference detection, and space domain awareness. Available via UI, APIs, and microservices. - **Taskable Satellite Network**: A capability to task satellite imagery collection over specific areas of interest. - **AI-Driven Data Fusion & Analytics**: Raw imagery and sensing data undergoes rapid AI/ML processing, then flows into Elements for fusion and analysis, producing actionable intelligence for defense, civil, and commercial use. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company). Prior to acquisition, Orbital Insight had raised a total of $130.2M in funding. Privateer itself raised $56.5M in a round concurrent with the acquisition in May 2024. - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue estimated at $30.0M (as of latest available data); Total Funding raised: $130.2M. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Sequoia Capital (lead investor in multiple rounds), Google Ventures (GV), Lux Capital, Clearvision Ventures. In April 2025, Taiwan’s Far Eastern Group (FEG) became a strategic investor in Privateer. Partners include OMEGA SA (for space sustainability). - **Growth Signals**: Acquired by Privateer Space in May 2024, backed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Privateer). Privateer has indicated it is eyeing further acquisitions (CEO statement, June 2025). Won a contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for maritime surveillance in the Indo-Pacific region (July 2024). Both product demos marked Awardable by the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace (June 2025). Recognized as a Best Tech Startup in Hawai‘i for 2025. ## Competitive Advantages - **Founding pedigree & talent**: Built by a team of engineers, scientists, and strategists with deep expertise in aerospace, AI, and orbital mechanics. Co-founder Steve Wozniak brings significant brand and credibility. - **Unique data integration**: Aggregates data from "sea to space" — satellite, terrestrial, and customer data — in a single platform (Elements). - **AI/ML at core**: Raw imagery undergoes rapid AI/ML processing, enabling automated, real-time insights rather than manual analysis. - **First-mover in commercial geospatial analytics**: One of the earliest companies to commercialize satellite imagery analytics at scale. - **Defense & intelligence credibility**: Secured NGA contracts and recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense, providing a high barrier to entry for competitors. ## Strategic Focus - **Growth through acquisition**: Privateer CEO has stated the company is actively pursuing further acquisitions to expand capabilities. - **Expanding into new verticals**: Targeting insurance, energy, finance, and sustainability markets with tailored geospatial intelligence products. - **Defense & government contracts**: Continued focus on winning U.S. government and allied nation contracts for maritime, border, and infrastructure monitoring. - **Space sustainability**: Partnership with OMEGA SA and focus on space domain awareness (tracking debris, GNSS interference) as a growing priority. - **International expansion**: Presence in Brazil, Japan, and Indonesia; recent strategic investment from Taiwan’s Far Eastern Group signals Asia-Pacific growth. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as a team of engineers, scientists, and strategists committed to answering tough questions impacting life on the planet. Employee reviews on LinkedIn rate culture 4.8/5.0, compensation 4.7/5.0, and work-life balance 4.8/5.0 (based on 47 reviews). - **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: Hybrid working model. Roles listed include "Washington, DC Area - Hybrid" for cleared positions. Headquarters in Palo Alto, CA with offices in New York, NY and Arlington, VA. - **Notable perks & engineering culture**: Strong emphasis on AI/ML, cloud-native infrastructure (Kubernetes, Docker, Istio, gRPC, Terraform, Python, React, Mapbox, ESRI). Tech stack includes modern DevOps practices and microservices architecture. High concentration of talent from Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Planet. Engineering-centric environment with opportunities to work on cutting-edge space and AI problems. - **Growth trajectory**: Post-acquisition, the combined entity (Privateer + Orbital Insight) is well-funded and actively hiring, with a clear mandate to scale. The company is in a growth phase with recent contract wins and new strategic investors. - **Mission-driven**: Work has direct impact on national security, environmental monitoring, and space sustainability — appealing to those seeking purpose-driven work. ## Sources 1. [LinkedIn - Orbital Insight Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbital-insight-inc-) 2. [Privateer.com - Company Page](https://www.privateer.com/company) 3. [Privateer.com - Home Page](https://www.privateer.com/) 4. [Privateer.com - Careers Page](https://www.privateer.com/careers) 5. [Greenhouse - Jobs at Orbital Insight / Privateer](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/privateer) 6. [SpaceNews - Privateer acquires Orbital Insight (May 2024)](https://spacenews.com/privateer-acquires-orbital-insight/) 7. [SpaceNews - Orbital Insight wins NGA contract (July 2024)](https://spacenews.com/orbital-insight-wins-nga-contract-for-maritime-surveillance-in-indo-pacific-region/) 8. [ION Analytics - Privateer eyeing further acquisitions (June 2025)](https://ionanalytics.com/privateer-eyeing-further-acquisitions-ceo/) 9. [LinkedIn - Privateer update: Far Eastern Group strategic investment (April 2025)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbital-insight-inc-/posts/) ## Other roles at Orbital Insight - [Operational Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/operational-technical-program-manager-orbital-insight-united-states-g1r4r2wb3psm) — United States - [Senior Manager, Army Business Development](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-army-business-development-orbital-insight-united-states-yjajc195dx8j) — United States - [General Application for Privateer Space / Orbital Insight](https://feeny.ai/job/general-application-for-privateer-space-orbital-insight-orbital-insight-united-efjjvdm9txbh) — United States - [Mission Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-software-engineer-anduril-industries-lexington-massachusetts-rz36z2kvkecr) — Lexington Massachusetts, United States - [Mission Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-software-engineer-anduril-industries-costa-mesa-california-38ghefxsv2hv) — Costa Mesa California, United States - [Mission Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-software-engineer-anduril-industries-reston-virginia-3m8fsy18am34) — Reston Virginia, United States - [Mission Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-software-engineer-anduril-industries-amsterdam-north-holland-hx0n7c7y1nx0) — Amsterdam North Holland, Netherlands