Satellite Bus Systems Engineer

About the role

Satellogic is seeking a Satellite Bus Systems Engineer to join their growing team in Buenos Aires. This position focuses on the design, integration, and verification of satellite bus subsystems for Earth observation missions in low Earth orbit. The engineer will work on both hardware and software aspects of satellite platforms from initial concept through launch and commissioning. This role is part of the full-time engineering staff supporting satellite development programs from early design phases through flight operations.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define and implement subsystem architectures for satellite bus components and establish interfaces between major functional blocks
• Perform detailed thermal and structural analysis on satellite platform hardware to verify design margins and performance requirements
• Coordinate closely with payload teams to ensure bus compatibility and proper mechanical integration throughout the satellite assembly
• Conduct environmental testing of satellite systems in simulated launch and orbital conditions to validate design assumptions
• Develop comprehensive documentation for bus design decisions, verification plans, configuration management records, and technical reports
• Support integration activities during satellite assembly and ground testing phases at the company facility in Buenos Aires
• Troubleshoot issues found during hardware-in-the-loop simulations and recommend corrective design changes to resolve identified problems
• Manage interfaces between electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems across the satellite bus to ensure coherent system behavior
• Evaluate vendor components for bus subsystem suitability, reliability, and compliance with applicable space industry standards and requirements
• Participate in design reviews and technical assessments with internal engineering teams and external stakeholders on a regular basis
• Lead the development of bus-level software for satellite command and data handling subsystems
• Analyze telemetry data from ground stations to assess satellite bus health and performance in orbit

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related technical field from an accredited university or institution
• Experience with satellite bus design or spacecraft systems engineering in a professional engineering environment
• Knowledge of power systems, attitude control, and thermal management for space platforms and orbital missions
• Familiarity with space-grade hardware selection, qualification processes, and materials used in the orbital environment
• Ability to work with CAD and simulation software tools for engineering analysis and design validation
• Understanding of mission requirements and how they drive bus design decisions, trade studies, and risk assessments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in technical contexts with cross-functional engineering teams and partners
• Willingness to travel to testing facilities or launch sites when project needs require on-site presence
• Experience with systems engineering principles and model-based design approaches for complex spacecraft platforms
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced development setting

Nice to have

• Master's degree in aerospace engineering or similar discipline with a focus on space systems and applications
• Prior hands-on experience with Earth observation satellite missions and their specific bus design requirements and constraints
• Knowledge of radiation effects on electronic components and mitigation strategies for long-duration orbital environments
• Experience with FPGA or embedded systems design for space applications including flight software development
• Familiarity with space debris mitigation guidelines and satellite disposal planning for end-of-mission scenarios

Skills & tools

• Satellite bus subsystem design and analysis methods for space missions including power, thermal, and attitude control
• Thermal analysis software such as Thermal Desktop or SINDA for detailed spacecraft thermal modeling
• Structural finite element analysis tools like ANSYS or NASTRAN for mechanical design and load analysis
• Spacecraft power system modeling and simulation capabilities for energy budget analysis and battery sizing
• Requirements management and traceability software for maintaining design documentation and verification coverage
• Programming languages including Python and C for automation scripts, data processing, and ground software tools
• Knowledge of communication protocols and data handling architectures used in satellite bus systems
• Experience with version control systems and collaborative software development environments for hardware and firmware

Practical notes

• This role is based in the Buenos Aires office with potential for occasional travel to other company locations
• Full-time employment with standard business hours and project-based overtime during critical development milestones and launch campaigns
• The position reports to the satellite systems engineering management team for daily guidance, mentorship, and performance evaluation
• Candidates should expect to participate in on-site design reviews, hands-on testing activities, and cross-functional coordination meetings regularly
• The company values work-life balance while recognizing the demanding nature of satellite development timelines and launch schedules

About the company

Making Earth Observation imagery accessible and affordable to solve the world's most pressing problems