Ground Software & Systems Manager

• Mission Operations (0346U), Space Sciences Laboratory
• #83546 University of California Berkeley
• 4.2 Berkeley, CA Job Details Full-time $134,200
• $263,400 a year 21 hours ago Qualifications Containerization systems Application Integration Systems integration Project management experience in technology Failover system Full-stack development High availability solutions design IT operations Team leadership Improving system uptime or availability System design Infrastructure architecture design System design for system development Virtualization tools Supervising experience Cloud infrastructure implementation Systems engineering Server virtualization Design (software development lifecycle) High availability Full Job Description Ground Software & Systems Manager•Mission Operations (0346U), Space Sciences Laboratory•#83546 About Berkeley At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive.

Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value. At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan . At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley. Departmental Overview The UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is where exploration meets innovation. As the University's hub for space science research, SSL has been at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries for over six decades, building instruments that have traveled to every planet in our solar system and beyond, while training the next generation of space scientists. Today, our Mission Operations Team plays a central role in operating multiple NASA science spacecraft and we're preparing for our most ambitious era yet. By the end of this year, SSL will simultaneously manage missions in Low Earth Orbit, Lunar Orbit, at Earth-Sun Lagrange points, and even Mars. Few places on Earth can match this level of complexity, scale, and scientific impact. We're seeking a Ground Software & Systems Manager to lead the team that keeps it all running. This role is about more than systems and software-it's about enabling humanity's exploration of space. You'll oversee our ground operations technology, partner with NASA's TDRSS and Deep Space Network, and ensure that SSL's Mission Control stays ahead of the curve, even compared to "new space" companies. With access to Berkeley's own ground station and a team of engineers ready to learn from your leadership, you'll shape the software stack that drives world-class space science. If you're excited by the idea of applying your expertise to safeguard multimillion-dollar missions, mentoring engineers, and building a best-in-class ground operations platform, SSL is where you can make your mark! Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: January 19, 2026. This position will remain open until filled. Responsibilities Mission Operations and Ground Systems Engineering Ultimately responsible for maintaining both the hardware and software that connects the Berkeley Mission Operations Center to third-party ground station networks around the world. Supervises and maintains the Berkeley Ground Station facility (hardware and software). Advanced Software Programming (e.g., C, C++, Python, etc.) Performs the most complex and advanced software programming in the Mission Operations System at the Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL). Develops custom code unique to the SSL, or code that integrates SSL software tools with commercial or government-furnished tools. Oversees two-way encryption with space assets. Systems Design and Development Designs, develops, modifies, and evaluates software and supporting hardware for functional areas that are highly complex and have broad, mission-wide impact. Helps maintain and evolve the multi-mission Mission Operations Center at SSL, as well as the Backup Mission Operations Center on the main campus. Program and Partner Support Supports the flight mission's Program Manager, Systems Engineer, and Mission Operations leads at meetings with NASA and subcontractors as the lead presenter. Travels for troubleshooting of hardware and software systems as required. NASA and Mission Collaboration Supports all NASA reviews and ongoing meetings with spacecraft partners (across all missions) as the subject matter expert on Mission Operations System ground systems. Responsible for supervising at least 2 FTE, including professional engineers, technicians, and students. Technical Oversight and Compliance Works with spacecraft management to meet technical requirements within schedule and budget. Revises the design and verification as needed. Provides all design and verification data to NASA for integration with the spacecraft. Required Qualifications Expert-level, system-architect knowledge of full-stack software design, development, and integration in real-time mission operations or comparable high-availability environments Proven leadership in resolving anomalies at the intersection of software, hardware, and systems integration in a real-time operational environment Experience leading operations where continuous availability ("up-time") is a critical performance metric Experience with IT infrastructure management and architecture, including containers (e.g., Docker), virtualization, cloud vs. on-prem tradeoffs, and failover strategies Demonstrated ability to supervise technical staff, set work objectives, and manage project deliverables Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of the latest software and hardware advances in the field as a means to keep UCB SSL at a competitive edge in the industry.

Education/Training:

Post-graduate level course work in related area preferred. Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website. Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $190,000.00

• $238,000.00. The full pay scale for this job classification is $134,200.00
• $263,400.00. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position. This is a full-time, Career position that is eligible for full UC benefits. This is an on-site position at the University of California, Berkeley
• Space Sciences Laboratory.