This is a principal-level full stack engineering role with end-to-end technical accountability across our ground station software stack. You will own the architecture and delivery of software spanning beamformer orchestration, RF signal processing interfaces, defence-grade application frameworks, and commercial satellite communication platforms from embedded firmware to cloud-hosted user-facing applications. You will work directly with the product manager, RF engineers, and hardware teams, and your technical decisions will shape the reliability and capability of systems that operate in mission-critical environments.

Responsibilities:

• Full Stack Technical Accountability
  • Own end-to-end software architecture across the entire ground station stack embedded, systems, backend, and front-end
  • Architect beamformer orchestration systems: deterministic, low-latency control of phased array apertures including beam scheduling and steering
  • Define software interfaces between RF hardware, signal processing pipelines, and application layers
  • Drive technical decisions across defence-grade and commercial applications; set and enforce engineering standards and review processes
• Beamformer, RF & Communications
  • Design orchestration software for digitally steered phased array beamformers; integrate modulation/demodulation and signal chain processing
  • Develop interfaces to RF front-ends, SDRs, and modem hardware; apply satellite comms expertise across frequency bands
  • Apply link-resilient and latency-tolerant design patterns for high-latency and intermittent satellite links
• Defence-Grade & Commercial Applications
  • Architect defence-grade software meeting stringent requirements for security, auditability, fault tolerance, and operational integrity
  • Build commercial satellite communication applications with a focus on usability, scalability, and performance
• Embedded, Linux & Backend
  • Develop firmware in C/C++ for embedded platforms (RTOS, bare-metal); low-level drivers, HALs, BSPs, and HIL/SIL test harnesses
  • Deliver production Linux applications and backend services using Azure Pipelines, Terraform, Kubernetes; .deb/.rpm packaging and CI/CD
  • Postgres database design; structured logging, metrics, and observability via Loki, Prometheus, and Grafana
• Front-End
  • Build operator-facing and commercial UIs in Vue
  • Ensure front-end systems meet the performance, reliability, and security expectations of defence and commercial ground station environments
• Security Engineering
  • Own the security posture end-to-end: cryptography (AES, RSA, ECC), TLS/mTLS, X.509/PKI, and key management via Azure Key Vault
  • Integrate SAST, dependency scanning, and secrets detection into CI/CD pipelines
• Observability & Quality
  • Instrument systems with structured logging, metrics, and distributed tracing using Loki, Prometheus, Grafana, and Modbus
  • Champion code quality through static analysis, design patterns, and SOLID principles

Requirements:

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience across multiple languages and domains, operating at a senior or principal level
• Experience with beamformer control, phased array systems, or RF signal chain software is highly regarded
• Proven delivery of software for defence, aerospace, or similarly mission-critical environments
• Deep proficiency in C/C++ for systems and embedded development; strong Python skills for scripting, automation, and application development
• Solid Linux internals knowledge: filesystems, processes, networking, and package management
• Strong background in software architecture: RESTful APIs, Kubernetes, and service-oriented design; SQL and NoSQL database experience
• Practical front-end experience with at least one modern JavaScript/TypeScript framework (Vue preferred, React or Angular is fine)
• Demonstrable commitment to code quality: consistent application of design patterns, SOLID principles, static analysis, and rigorous code review
• Proven experience writing unit and integration tests across multiple languages; experience designing HIL/SIL test environments
• Hands-on experience building, deploying, and maintaining packages; proficiency with Git including branching models and collaborative workflows
• Strong working knowledge of cryptographic concepts: symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing, digital signatures, TLS, PKI, and practical vault/KMS/HSM usage
• Understanding of secure software development principles and common vulnerability classes; experience with SAST and dependency scanning in CI/CD
• Demonstrated ability to design and own CI/CD pipelines (Azure Pipelines or equivalent) and observability tooling (Loki, Prometheus, Grafana, Modbus)
• Confident and critical user of AI coding assistants (GitHub Copilot, Claude, or equivalent), able to evaluate output and integrate responsibly

Why join QSAT:

• Be part of a cutting-edge space-tech startup shaping the future of satellite communications.
• Work with an exceptional and passionate team of engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
• Help shape a category-defining product at the forefront of space communications innovation.
• Enjoy a flexible, collaborative, and high-autonomy work culture.
• Receive a competitive salary and an attractive options scheme.

How to Apply

Please send your CV (and, optionally, your LinkedIn profile) to careers@qsat.au with the subject "Software Engineer Application". We look forward to reviewing your application!

(no agencies or headhunters)