--- title: 'Satellite Operations Software Engineer at Loft Orbital Solutions' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/satellite-operations-software-engineer-loft-orbital-solutions-abu-dhabi-v2d7v6sv9g6k' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-13' --- # Satellite Operations Software Engineer at Loft Orbital Solutions - **Company:** Loft Orbital Solutions - **Location:** Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-10-12 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-13 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/loftorbital/bc16e2e5-65a3-412d-a186-1b9ea2a4e61c ## Job description Wanna join the adventure? As a Satellite Operations Software Engineer, you will be a key contributor to the development, automation, and operation of Orbitworks’ satellite programs. This is a hand on satellite operations role combined with software development and systems engineering to ensure mission success from design to orbit. You will work across the full stack software, hardware, and operational interfaces to deliver robust, scalable solutions that support satellite commissioning, nominal operations, and anomaly resolution. About this Role: - Execute satellite operations, including participating in the on-call rotation as Satellite Controller/Flight Director. - Configure and set up tools for programs, including procedures, dashboards, subschedules, resolvers, and auto-pilot plans. - Configure systems for commissioning and nominal operations. - Handle anomalies and maintain overall space infrastructure performance. - Develop automation for both ground and space-based operations. - Script mission performance and cockpit configurations, preferably in Python. - Validate and verify tools used in satellite operations. - Support test campaigns prior to and during launch. - Apply the “Test as We Fly” methodology for all mission-critical systems. - Understand customer CONOPS for operational planning and execution. - Interface with customers prior to and during mission deployment. Must Haves: - Strong background in satellite operations and complex systems management. - Willingness to train as a Satellite Controller/Flight Director, including commissioning and on-call rotation. - Proven software development experience with strong automation skills. - Ability to work across full hardware/software stack (ground-based, space-based, and interface systems). - Proficiency in Python and Git. - Pragmatic mindset with ability to balance short- and long-term operational goals. - High accountability, autonomy, and ownership in delivering results. - Openness to learning and working outside comfort zones in a fast-paced environmentScripting experience for automation and mission operations. Nice to Haves - Experience with Airbus satellite platforms (Arrow-150 bus) in avionics, ADCS, or propulsion. - Experience with LEO satellite operations and constellation management. - Experience interacting with and managing customers. - Background in satellite testing, AIT, validation and verification of complex systems. - Arabic language skills or willingness to learn. Orbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi. ## About Loft Orbital Solutions ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Loft Orbital is a space infrastructure company that provides simple, fast, and reliable ways for customers to deploy and operate physical payloads and software missions in low Earth orbit. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series C – $170M round announced, total funding $326.9M) - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States (with additional offices in Golden, Colorado and Toulouse, France) - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Not listed in provided sources ## Core Business - **Primary Industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing - **Target Customers**: B2B – commercial space startups, established aerospace and defense primes, cloud and AI companies, and government agencies worldwide (including U..S, France, Canada) - **Mission/Purpose**: “Space Made Simple” – enabling customers to focus on their mission while Loft handles end-to-end space infrastructure ## Products & Services - **Physical Payload Missions**: Loft integrates, tests, launches, and operates customer hardware payloads on its standardized satellite platforms (e.g.., optical, hyperspectral, RF sensors). - **Virtual / Software-Only Missions**: Customers can deploy software directly to Loft’s on-orbit satellites to process and analyze data in near-real time (e..g., AI edge processing via partners like SkyServe, SSCI). - **YAM (Yet Another Mission)** satellites: A fleet of multi-mission satellite buses available for rapid deployment; Loft maintains an inventory of pre-assembled platforms. - **Hub & Cockpit**: Proprietary hardware and software abstraction layers that simplify payload integration and satellite operations. - **Loft Federal**: A FOCI-mitigated division focused on US national security space missions (only US citizens). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (total funding $326..9M – LinkedIn) - **Key Metric**: Total Funding $326..9M (8 rounds incl. $170M Series C); Annual Revenue estimated $27..8M (LinkedIn) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Lead seed investor Uncork Capital; partners include Honeywell (Canadian Space Agency mission), Wyvern (Dragonette constellation), Esper, Helsing, SmartSat CRC, EarthDaily ($150M constellation), SkyServe, SSCI, Airbus OneWeb Satellites (15 bus order). - **Growth Signals**: 270 employees (+14.9% YoY), 41k+ LinkedIn followers (+41.4% YoY), 14 satellites launched, 60+ customers, 15+ AI missions on-orbit, selected as prime contractor for France’s first space-based radar imaging program. ## Competitive Advantages - **Standardized Satellite Platform**: Uses a commodity satellite bus with custom hardware/software layers, eliminating non-recurring engineering and enabling “turnkey” plug-and-play. - **Speed to Orbit**: Maintains an inventory of pre-assembled buses and pre-booked launches, drastically reducing lead times compared to traditional aerospace. - **Flight Heritage**: Over 600 copies of the bus in orbit today, providing proven reliability - **Misson Agnosticism**: Can fly any payload that fits within standard platform constraints; supports both physical and virtual missions. ## Strategic Focus - **Expand AI Edge Computing**: Deploying onboard AI processing (e..g., STORM from SkyServe, POET experiment for SDA) to enable near-real-time decision making. - **National Security Growth**: Loft Federal continues to win US government contracts. - **Constellation Scale-Up**: Partnering with EarthDaily for $150M satellite constellation; ordering 15 additional buses from Airbus OneWeb. - **International Partnerships**: Strengthening ties with France (prime contractor for radar imaging) and Canada (SmartSat CRC, Honeywell). ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Collaborative, respectful, professional environment described as “non-negotiable.” Rated 4..5/5 on LinkedIn (35 reviews) with Culture 4.5, Compensation 4.1, Work-Life 3.6, Career 4.2. - **Wor Environment**: Distributed team with core hubs in San Francisco, Golden (CO), and Toulouse. Supports remote collaboration but roles may require on-site presence (per job listings). Recruiting process involves intro call, technical screening, challenge, and hiring panel. - **Notable Perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge space infrastructure with a fast-growing company; involvement in both commercial and government missions; international team. ## Sources 1. [loftorbital..com](https://loftorbital.com/) 2. [loftorbital.com/about/](https://loftorbital.com/about/) 3. [loftorbital.com/careers/](https://loftorbital.com/careers/) 4. [jobs.lever.co/loftorbital](https://jobs.lever.co/loftorbital/) 5. 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