Director of Software Engineering, Orbital Sidekick
$175-200k
+ Equity packages
3 days a week in office
Satellite monitoring for sustainability & security
Be an early applicant
Satellite monitoring for sustainability & security
21-100 employees
Be an early applicant
$175-200k
+ Equity packages
3 days a week in office
21-100 employees
Company mission
To solve the planet's most pressing operational, environmental, and safety problems in real time at scale.
Role
Who you are
- 10+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, with demonstrated progression into technical leadership roles. BS in Computer Science or equivalent
- Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity and provide clarity and direction in uncertain or rapidly evolving situations
- Expert-level proficiency in Python with hands-on experience building data pipelines, APIs, and infrastructure
- Comfortable working with AWS technologies including CDK, Lambda, S3, ECS, and RDS, as well as frameworks and tools such as Django and Terraform
- Experience building and operating customer-facing APIs, data processing systems, and platform services
- Strong background in Agile/Scrum software development with direct accountability for Jira workflows and engineering process health
- Ability to operate effectively in both IC and leadership capacities within a small, dynamic team
- Expertise in geospatial platforms and familiarity with hyperspectral data, satellite imagery, or remote sensing technologies
Desirable
- Background in aerospace, defense, or intelligence-focused environments
- Prior experience in a growth-stage startup or small technology company
What the job involves
- The leader will be expected to move quickly and take calculated risks to deliver customer value, while maintaining a long-term view on scalability. You will also own OSK’s Jira and Scrum processes, ensuring engineering rigor, operational transparency, and consistent, reliable delivery
- This is a hands-on technical leadership role for someone passionate about geospatial platforms, data pipelines, and scalable, production-grade systems
- Design, develop, and maintain core systems across SIGMA (platform, APIs, customer delivery) and the Data Pipeline (imagery processing, derived analytics)
- Write production-quality code, with a strong focus on Python for pipeline and platform development
- Supports a team to deliver advanced geospatial products that are robust, scalable, and secure with a focus on data flows, APIs, infrastructure, and observability
- Own and operate OSK’s Jira Agile/Scrum process including backlog management, sprint planning, reporting, and delivery cadence
- Ensure excellence in system reliability, security, scalability, and maintainability
- Contribute directly to codebases, technical documentation, and architectural decisions
- Lead and mentor a small and growing SWE team of engineering managers (1) and engineers (8)
- Set and reinforce technical direction, architectural standards, and operational best practices
- Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with Product, Analytics, and Operations teams to align objectives and delivery
- Support hiring, career growth, and a high-performing engineering culture
Our take
Orbital Sidekick is changing global monitoring through its GHOSt (Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellites). The system utilizes hyperspectral imaging and AI to provide detailed insights into environmental and operational risks. This enables the identification of methane leaks, wildfire risks, and agricultural conditions with unmatched sensitivity.
The company serves various industries, including energy, mining, agriculture, and defence, offering real-time, actionable data for improving sustainability, security and operational integrity. Its platform, SIGMA, also supplies customizable monitoring tools for organizations in need of constant surveillance.
With this, the company has seen considerable success, securing partnerships with top energy companies and government agencies. Now planning more satellite launches, and with significant funding to its name, Orbital is ready to scale its operations for a greater impact across global industries.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Funding (last 2 of 4 rounds)
Jan 2023
$10m
EARLY VC
Apr 2021
$16m
SERIES A
Total funding: $40.6m
Company benefits
- Equity packages
- Comprehensive health plan including health, dental, vision, and wellness
- Disability and Life insurance
- 401k program
- Flexible time off
- Commuter benefits
- Learning and development opportunities
- Monthly stipend for internet/cell phone/office expenses
- Flexible in office schedule with lunch Tuesday to Thursday in the San Francisco headquarters
- Off-sites and team-building activities
- Remote friendly (we hire in-office and remote employees in the United States)
Company HQ
SoMa, San Francisco, CA
Leadership
Dan Katz
(Co-Founder & CEO)Previously a Senior R&D/Propulsion Engineer at Space Systems Loral. Prior to that, they were a Civil Inspector/Technical Analyst at PGH Wong Engineering and also a Research Intern at NASA.
Tushar P.
(Co-Founder & COO)Previously a Senior R&D/Propulsion Engineer at Space Systems Loral. They also spent time as a Process Modeler at Calera Corporation, and as a Design Engineer at PAX Streamline.
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