Senior Principal Software Engineer Lead

Company: Iridium Communications Inc
Location: Chandler
Posted on: May 17, 2025

Job Description:

Company OverviewIridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.What We're Looking For:If you enjoy learning about and working with breakthrough technologies, and have software engineering experience within the space or satellite communications industry, then you will be excited about the Senior Principal Software Engineer opening on the Ground Development team with Iridium for a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, you'll be responsible for implementing continuous improvements cross-functionally by setting objectives and effectively managing multiple priorities, as it relates to ensuring the compatibility and performance of satellite ground system software with customer requirements. In this role, you will be tasked primarily with collaborating across teams to assess risks, identify solutions, and support partners and customers to meet program schedules and technical expectations. You will succeed in this role if you bring strong systems-thinking, proactive problem-solving skills, and the ability to translate complex requirements into actionable technical solutions.This position requires an active/current Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).What You'll Do:

• Work independently within CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) and classified environments, generating process documentation and performing conformance assessments
• Establish strategies for developing ground software products for future government opportunities that take advantage of the many years of successful Iridium constellation operations experience
• Lead the definition, implementation, and continuous improvement of software engineering processes - including best practices for change control, development prioritization, and risk management - ensuring alignment with SDA Ground Systems requirements and proper documentation within the Software Development Plan (SDP)Support, plan, and execute the implementation of software releases per direction of stakeholders, ensuring the SW meets all requirements, and contract deliverables are met, while assuring commitments remain within contract scope
• Effectively communicate to all stakeholders and leadership, through briefings and documentation, planned implementations and progress, technical risks, and/or issue resolutions
• Be the final arbiter (highest level of the decision tree) for technical decisions/disputes
• Identify technical standards, tools, and frameworks that align with project goals and drive long-term efficiency, scalability, and quality across software development efforts
• Mentor junior and peer-level engineers to support technical growth and knowledge sharing across the team
• Lead and drive trade studies to evaluate and inform strategic decision-making for new business opportunities Serve as the primary point of contact for technical issues related to the satellite ground system software, working with customers and partners to resolve problems and ensure satisfaction
• Stay up to date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices related to satellite ground systems and software developmentWhat You'll Need to Succeed:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, or related engineering discipline
  • 15+ years' Systems Engineering, Test, or Software Programming experience
  • 7+ years' satellite control ground systems experience
  • Ability to create and/or drive major updates to the existing architecture
  • Develop an expert working knowledge of complex technical subject matter as it pertains to SDA
  • Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to use reference documentation
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present information, drive discussion, and respond to difficult scenarios with limited preparation across all employee groups
  • The ability to build productive relationships with all levels of internal and external leadership to build consensus and drive results and champion collaboration across multiple departments
  • Be able to think on your feet to respond to difficult situations and resolve issues
  • Actively looks for ways to enhance and improve current processes and procedures
  • Skilled at managing multiple priorities while ensuring that work is of high quality
  • Must be proactive in seeking out knowledge and sharing what you've learned with others
  • Exceptional problem solving, good judgment, decisiveness and data mining skills
  • Represent Iridium's interest in technical liaisons with Contractors and CustomersThings That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:
    • An understanding of Software Security including Security Best Practices and interface hardening
    • Previous experience delivering complex satellite ground systems
    • Experience or familiarity with the following technologies:
      • Kubernetes / Docker / OpenShift / JFrog Artifactory and JFrog Pipelines
      • Red Hat Linux based environments and bash shell scripting
      • XML / JSON / SQL / YAML
      • No SQL based DBs (e.g. Mongo/Redis)
      • Atlassian management/software development tools
      • Micro Services based architectures.
      • Automated testing frameworks
      • Gov and non-Gov AWS cloud environments and architecturesWe'll also need you to:
        • Be able to travel up to 10%
        • Be a US CitizenWork Environment:This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.
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Keywords: Iridium Communications Inc, Sun City , Senior Principal Software Engineer Lead, IT / Software / Systems , Chandler, Arizona