Staff Backend Software Developer, Kepler
Satellite communications company
Open for applications
Satellite communications company
201-500 employees
Open for applications
201-500 employees
Company mission
To build the internet for space.
Role
Who you are
- 8+ years of professional software development experience, with a strong focus on backend systems
- Proven experience designing and operating large-scale, distributed systems
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-team technical initiatives and influence engineering direction
- Strong expertise in system architecture, scalability, reliability, and performance optimization
- Deep experience with Python and modern backend development practices
- Experience with cloud platforms, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and infrastructure-as-code
- Strong understanding of CI/CD systems and developer productivity tooling
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity in complex technical and organizational environments
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience working on mission-critical or high-reliability systems
- Familiarity with satellite operations, ground systems, or aerospace environments
- Experience designing platform-level systems or internal developer platforms
- Strong background in observability, incident response, and reliability engineering
- Experience with event-driven and distributed messaging systems (Kafka, Pulsar, etc.)
- Knowledge of networking concepts and delay-tolerant networking
- Track record of improving engineering processes and organizational effectiveness
What the job involves
- We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Software Developer to lead the design and evolution of Kepler’s backend systems and platform architecture
- This role operates at a company-wide level, driving technical strategy, enabling cross-team execution, and ensuring that our systems scale to meet the growing demands of Kepler’s satellite network and mission control operations
- As a Staff Developer, you will work across multiple teams to solve complex technical challenges, guide architectural decisions, and improve engineering effectiveness. You will play a key role in shaping long-term technical direction while ensuring near-term delivery remains efficient and aligned
- Lead the design and evolution of large-scale backend systems supporting Kepler’s satellite network infrastructure and mission control software
- Drive architectural decisions that span multiple teams and services, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability
- Identify and lead high-impact, cross-functional initiatives, including system-wide performance improvements, reliability efforts, and platform standardization
- Partner with product, operations, and leadership to translate business opportunities into technical strategy and execution plans
- Define and improve engineering processes, development workflows, and operational practices across teams
- Own and guide long-term technical roadmaps, balancing immediate delivery needs with strategic investments
- Act as a technical authority and advisor, providing guidance on complex system design, tradeoffs, and risk management
- Mentor senior engineers and help grow technical leadership across the organization
- Drive alignment across teams by influencing without authority and building consensus on technical direction
Our take
Low Earth Orbit satellites pass over Earth once every 90 minutes, passing data and communications through radio waves. Kepler, which was founded by Alumni of the University of Toronto’s aerospace community, responds to the opinion that these small daily intervals are not enough, as the need for the internet outside of Earth is set to become more prevalent.
Kepler has 23 satellites in low-Earth orbit, with plans for a future network of over 100. Its satellite technology sets the company apart, as they are much smaller and cheaper than traditional alternatives. It mainly serves the maritime and aviation industries, as well as governments.
An influx of funding has enabled Kepler to grow, with a total of over $200 million raised. Its optical data relay network, originally planned for launch in 2024, was delayed a couple of years. It is, however, now becoming a reality, with an initial launch of 10 satellites.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Apr 2026
$5.1m
GRANT
Apr 2023
$92m
SERIES C
Total funding: $178.2m
Company benefits
- Unlimited Vacation
- Comprehensive Health Coverage
- Stock Options
- Flexible & Hybrid Work Options
- Professional Development
Company HQ
Junction-Wallace Emerson, Toronto, ON
Leadership
Mina Mitry
(Co-Founder & CEO)Previously the Director of Engineering at teaBOT and President of the University of Toronto Aeronautics Team.
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