Ground Software & Systems Manager

Position Title

Ground Software & Systems Manager

Protingent Staffing has an exciting Direct Hire Ground Software & Systems Manager opportunity located in Berkeley, CA.

• Mission Operations and Ground Systems Engineering:
  Ultimately responsible for maintaining both the hardware and software that connects the Mission Operations Center to third-party ground station networks around the world. Supervises and maintains the Ground Station facility (hardware and software).
• Advanced Software Programming (e.g., C, C++, Python, etc.):
  Performs the most complex and advanced software programming in the Mission Operations System. Develops custom unique code, or code that integrates software tools with commercial or government‑furnished tools. Oversees two‑way encryption with space assets.
• Systems Design and Development:
  Designs, develops, modifies, and evaluates software and supporting hardware for functional areas that are highly complex and have broad, mission‑wide impact. Helps maintain and evolve the multi‑mission Mission Operations Center, as well as the Backup Mission Operations Center Program.
• Partner Support:
  Supports the flight mission's Program Manager, Systems Engineer, and Mission Operations leads at meetings with NASA and subcontractors as the lead presenter. Travels for troubleshooting of hardware and software systems as required.
• NASA and Mission
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Supports all NASA reviews and ongoing meetings with spacecraft partners (across all missions) as the subject matter expert on Mission Operations System ground systems.
• Technical Oversight and Compliance:
  Works with spacecraft management to meet technical requirements within schedule and budget. Revises the design and verification as needed. Provides all design and verification data to NASA for integration with the spacecraft.

• Expert‑level, system‑architect knowledge of full‑stack software design, development, and integration in real‑time mission operations or comparable high‑availability environments.
• Proven leadership in resolving anomalies at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems integration in a real‑time operational environment.
• Experience leading operations where continuous availability ("up‑time") is a critical performance metric.
• Experience with IT infrastructure management and architecture, including containers (e.g., Docker), virtualization, cloud vs. on‑prem tradeoffs, and failover strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise technical staff, set work objectives, and manage project deliverables.
• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Job Type: Direct Hire
• Location:
  
  Berkeley, CA
• Salary Range: $135,000 – $220,000 per year
• ITAR obligations are associated with this role, U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(1), (3) is required.