Senior Backend Software Engineer

About the Position

We are looking for a Senior Backend Software Engineer to join our innovative team at Leaf Space. You'll design, build, and maintain core software components for a satellite-based mesh network, contribute to technical design decisions, and help develop scalable cloud-based distributed services.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain core software components for the mesh network's ground segment and data-handling services.
• Implement and integrate protocols and services for space data systems (e.g., telemetry/telecommand, file delivery) across the link between spacecraft and ground.
• Develop network software - protocol handling, routing, and data transport - for reliable, high-throughput communication across a dynamic constellation.
• Design and operate cloud-based, distributed services that are scalable, observable, and resilient.
• Contribute to technical design through design reviews, interface definition, and architecture discussions.
• Write high-quality, well-tested, maintainable code and champion engineering best practices (testing, CI/CD, code review).
• Share knowledge and support other engineers through code reviews and technical collaboration.
• Collaborate closely with mission analysis, network, and platform teams to turn requirements into robust software.

Requirements

Tech Skills

• Strong software development skills in languages such as C/C++, Go, Python, or Rust.
• Solid Linux experience - development, networking, and working close to the OS.
• Hands-on cloud experience (AWS, GCP, or Azure) building and operating distributed services.
• Network programming experience - sockets, protocol design/implementation, TCP/UDP, and data transport internals.
• Experience with networking protocols; experience with space data systems is considered a plus.
• Experience with Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN), mesh networking, or routing protocols is considered a plus.
• Experience contributing to system design.
• Awareness of secure software development practices and relevant compliance (NIS2, ISO 27001).

Soft Skills

• Excellent cross-functional communication skills to interface effectively with engineering teams, suppliers, and management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Rigorous, detail-oriented approach, with a preference for measured/verified data over assumptions, and transparency when prior estimates need correction.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, still-maturing product environment, iterating on both architecture and hands-on implementation.
• Fluent English (written and spoken) required, given interaction with external international partners.

We Offer

• A flat and collaborative organizational structure.
• A fast-paced and professional environment within a rapidly growing space scale-up.
• Challenging projects with real impact on the global space ecosystem.
• An international and diverse workplace.
• Meal vouchers (€8/day) · Welfare platform · Hybrid work · Training opportunities.

About Leaf Space

Leaf Space operates a fully owned, globally distributed network of ground stations, empowering satellite operators to communicate with their spacecraft in the simplest and most flexible way. Leaf Space enables TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking, and Command) and payload data transmissions via an easy-to-use interface, a proprietary autonomous scheduling software, and its network’s global coverage. Founded in 2014, Leaf Space has offices in Lomazzo (Italy) and in Delaware (US).

Contact

Ann Kristin Müller

HR Recruiter – HR