Backend Engineer - Mission Operations Services

About the role

Loft Orbital is looking for a Backend Engineer to join the Mission Operations Services team to build and scale microservices for satellite fleet management. You will work on the Cockpit mission control system, bridging ground and flight software to enable safe, reliable on-orbit operations. This role involves hands-on development, system maintenance, and participation in spacecraft operations through SatDevOps rotations.

Responsibilities

• Design and build backend tools for satellite operations including services for passes, autopilots, and activities.
• Handle commands and telemetry across multiple satellite buses and ground segment providers with a focus on safety and observability.
• Write production backend code in Python, owning services end-to-end from design through deployment.
• Collaborate with flight software, embedded, and space infrastructure teams to integrate new satellite capabilities.
• Support internal users by improving APIs, workflows, and debugging tools.
• Participate in spacecraft operations through SatDevOps rotations to investigate anomalies and support incident response.

Required skills

• Python
• Docker
• Backend web development
• API design
• HTTP
• GraphQL
• REST

Nice to have

• Django
• Postgres
• Time-series databases
• Kubernetes
• InfluxDB
• TimescaleDB
• Distributed systems
• Real-time systems

Benefits

• Equity
• 35 days of Paid Time Off
• Flexible working hours
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Lunch Vouchers
• Cross-office travel opportunities
• Relocation assistance

About the Company

Founded in 2017, Loft provides governments, companies, and research institutions with a fast, reliable, and simple way to deploy missions in orbit. They integrate, launch, and operate spacecraft, offering end-to-end missions as a service across Earth observation, IoT connectivity, on-orbit AI, and national security missions.