Senior Data Engineer, Irvine

Senior Data Engineer

New Today

Turion Space is building spacecraft for national security and in-space operations. From debris removal to space domain awareness to building a more secure space economy, we are a team focused on getting real hardware to orbit fast and scaling capability. This isn't your typical data engineering role. You'll architect the data infrastructure that literally powers spacecraft operations in orbit, processes sensor data from the edge of space, and enables AI models that will revolutionize how humanity operates beyond Earth. What You'll Actually Build: Real-Time Space Intelligence Systems Process streaming telemetry from spacecraft and aircraft sensors at massive scale

Build pipelines handling tracking and acquisition data that guide and tracks satellites through orbit

Create systems that turn raw sensor feeds into actionable intelligence

AI-Powered Space Operations Integrate state-of-the-art ML models directly into mission control workflows

Build inference pipelines that enable autonomous satellite operations—from debris avoidance to optimal Earth observation scheduling

Create AI copilots for mission operators that predict anomalies, suggest optimal maneuvers, and automate routine operations

Develop systems where GPT-scale models analyze telemetry and make recommendations that keep satellites healthy

The Operating System for Space Commerce Design the data platform that will power the entire space economy

Build systems that integrate operational data across launch providers, satellite operators, and space services

Create the foundational infrastructure that makes space operations as data-driven as modern tech companies

Your Mission: As our Data Platform Engineer, you'll drive the technical strategy for systems that process everything from real-time spacecraft telemetry to petabytes of Earth observation data. This is a highly technical, hands-on role where your code directly impacts spacecraft flying overhead and the security of space assets worth billions. Key Responsibilities: Design and implement scalable data architectures for real-time streaming, data lakes, and analytics platforms that handle space-grade reliability requirements

Lead technical strategy for data pipelines processing everything from satellite sensor feeds to orbital mechanics calculations

Build platforms supporting mission operations, telemetry processing, and ML workflows that enable autonomous spacecraft operations

Drive data quality initiatives for systems where accuracy literally means the difference between mission success and failure

Collaborate with Flight Software, GNC, and Mission Operations teams to deliver data solutions that operate in the harshest environment known to humanity

Establish best practices for data governance, security, and compliance in national security contexts

Implement observability for data systems that span from ground stations to orbit

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or related field

5+ years of experience crushing it in data engineering or architecture roles

Strong experience with stream processing platforms (Apache Kafka, Apache Flink)

Expertise in data lakes and data warehouses (Delta Lake, Apache Iceberg, ClickHouse)

Experience with distributed computing frameworks (Apache Spark)

Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with container orchestration (Kubernetes) at scale

Familiarity with ML platforms (Kubeflow) and feature stores

Proficiency in Python, SQL, and NoSQL databases

Experience with real-time data processing and time-series databases (because everything in space is time-series)

Knowledge of data quality tools (Great Expectations or similar)

Experience using dbt for data modeling and transformations

Strong background in schema and data model design

Proficiency in data pipeline orchestration tools

Aerospace or satellite systems experience, especially telemetry processing

Understanding of data governance in regulated environments

Background in high-performance computing

Passion for space exploration and building systems that operate beyond Earth

Why This Role is Different: Your pipelines will process data from actual spacecraft in orbit

You'll work with sensor data that's never been accessible to commercial companies before

The ML models you enable will autonomously control multi-million dollar space assets

You're not optimizing ad clicks—you're building the data infrastructure for humanity's expansion into space

If you've ever looked up at the night sky and thought "I wish I could build data systems for that," this is your chance. Join us in making space operations as data-driven as the best tech companies on Earth. ITAR Requirements: This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for: Health Insurance : Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

Retirement Plans : Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future.

Paid Time Off : Generous vacation days, personal days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.

Professional Development : Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

Team Building Activities : Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual. Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. Compensation Range: $140K - $180K

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Location:: Irvine
Salary:: $140,000 - $180,000 per year
Job Type:: FullTime
Category:: Technology

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