Senior Backend Software Engineer

Leaf Space is a rapidly growing scale-up company and a leading provider of ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) solutions. Our innovative and proprietary concept is focused on providing satellite and launch vehicle connectivity as-a-service, enabling clients to efficiently manage their assets and fully exploit data. Our GSaaS solutions have been recognized by the market for their efficiency, security, and effectiveness in supporting different applications, from remote sensing to IoT communications. 

Job Overview

We're building a satellite-based mesh network that builds on top of our Leaf Line service, and we need a Software Engineer to design and build the software at its core — the ground-segment services, protocol implementations, and network layers that move data between the mesh nodes. You'll take ownership of complex software components end to end, contribute to technical decisions, and help drive engineering quality across the team. This is a hands-on senior role for someone who is as comfortable in protocol details and network internals as in system design.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and maintain core software components for the mesh network's ground segment and data-handling services.
• Implement and integrate protocols and services for space data systems (e.g., telemetry/telecommand, file delivery) across the link between spacecraft and ground.
• Develop network software — protocol handling, routing, and data transport — for reliable, high-throughput communication across a dynamic constellation.
• Design and operate cloud-based, distributed services that are scalable, observable, and resilient.
• Contribute to technical design through design reviews, interface definition and architecture discussions.
• Write high-quality, well-tested, maintainable code and champion engineering best practices (testing, CI/CD, code review).
• Share knowledge and support other engineers through code reviews and technical collaboration.
• Collaborate closely with mission analysis, network, and platform teams to turn requirements into robust software.

• 5–7 years building production software, with a track record of owning significant components or systems.

• Tech skills
• Strong software development skills in languages such as C/C++, Go, Python, or Rust.
• Solid Linux experience — development, networking, and working close to the OS.
• Hands-on cloud experience (AWS, GCP, or Azure) building and operating distributed services.
• Network programming experience — sockets, protocol design/implementation, TCP/UDP, and data transport internals.
• Experience with networking protocols; experience with space data systems is considered a plus.
• Experience with Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN), mesh networking or routing protocols is considered a plus.
• Experience contributing to system design.
• Awareness of secure software development practices and relevant compliance (NIS2, ISO 27001).
• Soft skills
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills to interface effectively with engineering teams, suppliers and management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Rigorous, detail-oriented approach, with a preference for measured/verified data over assumptions, and transparency when prior estimates need correction.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, still-maturing product environment, iterating on both architecture and hands-on implementation.
• Fluent English (written and spoken) required, given interaction with external international partners

• A flat and collaborative organizational structure
• A fast‑paced and professional environment within a rapidly growing space scale‑up
• Challenging projects with real impact on the global space ecosystem
• An international and diverse workplace
• Meal vouchers (€8/day)
• Welfare platform
• Hybrid work
• Training opportunities

• Reports to: Head of Engineering
• Career level: P4 – Senior Professional
• Job location: Lomazzo (Como), Italy | Hybrid work model
• Salary range: 55-70K
• Variable compensation: 10% of annual gross salary
• Benefits: Competitive benefits package, including a welfare platform and meal vouchers in Italy, with equivalent local benefits provided where applicable
• Expected start date: 1.10.2026