As a Senior Software Engineer on the Global Sensor Network Development Team, you will design and deliver the software that drives our robotic observatories and processes the space imagery they capture. Operating in remote, often extreme environments, these systems demand robust automation and high-performance data processing. In this role, you will collaborate closely with science-focused R&D teams, providing software leadership in the development, deployment, and operation of novel sensor concepts.

Slingshot Aerospace cares deeply about our commitment to company values, mission, and purpose. The core competencies Slingshot employees demonstrate include: intellectual agility, ability to develop innovative solutions, leadership, performance-orientation, and industry expertise.

Position Responsibilities:

Lead the design and development of robust software solutions for remote sensing applications in harsh, operationally challenging environments.
Partner with technical operations teams to analyze and resolve complex sensor behaviors, with a focus on Linux kernel and driver-level systems.
Shape and deliver software features that enable technical operations teams to maximize the capabilities of our telescope automation software.
Serve as a trusted technical advisor to science-focused R&D staff, guiding the development, deployment, and operation of novel sensor concepts.
Engage in and influence Agile development and deployment processes to improve team velocity and product quality.
Drive innovation in advanced image processing software, including the design and optimization of CUDA-accelerated algorithms.
Strategize with product managers, scientists, and engineering peers to ensure solutions are both technically sound and mission-aligned.
Deliver product requirements on schedule without compromising operational reliability.
Mentor junior engineers, promote established best practices, and lead efforts to evolve and mature our development process.
Foster strong relationships with customers, end users, and stakeholders to ensure delivered solutions have lasting operational impact.
Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose.

Pre-Requisites

Must be eligible for a DoD security clearance

Minimum Requirements

8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a proven ability to design, deliver, and sustain complex systems — ideally in hardware automation, image processing, or space domain awareness.
Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or a closely related field.
Deep expertise in Linux kernel and driver-level systems, including the ability to lead investigations and resolve complex, performance-critical issues.
Experience architecting and deploying containerized solutions (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) in production environments.
Demonstrated success building and maintaining production applications in Python and C++.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, capable of aligning technical solutions with diverse stakeholder needs.
Track record of critical thinking, problem-solving, and making sound technical decisions under operational constraints.

Preferred Skills

Experience in the space domain awareness industry
Background in image processing or hardware automation, particularly in challenging environments.
Expertise in developing and optimizing CUDA-accelerated applications.

*These skills are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. You don’t have to meet every qualification listed- if your skills are transferable and you meet the minimum requirements; we encourage you to apply.

Location: Remote, US

Salary: $154,000 - $213,000

Classification: Full time Exempt (learned professional exemption)

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, and WI. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also national origin, citizenship, sex, color, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic that is part of one’s identity. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.