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.

We are looking for a Data Platform Engineer to help architect and drive the development of the data infrastructure that powers our mission operations, analytics, and AI/ML systems. You will build and scale data pipelines and platforms that enable smarter spacecraft and data-driven space operations.

This is a highly technical, hands-on role ideal for someone with deep experience in data architecture, real-time streaming, and distributed data systems and a passion for helping space systems operate at the cutting edge.

Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
Department: Vehicle / Ground Software
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Irvine, California
Workplace type: Onsite
Compensation: $140,000 - $180,000 / year
Reporting To: Sammy Roberts

Key Responsibilities

Design and implement scalable data architectures, including real-time streaming, data lakes, and analytics platforms
Lead technical strategy for data pipelines, storage, and processing frameworks
Build and maintain data platforms supporting mission operations, telemetry processing, and ML workflows
Drive data quality initiatives across the organization
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Flight Software, GNC, Mission Operations, Platform Engineering) to deliver robust data solutions for spacecraft operations
Establish best practices for data governance, security, and compliance
Implement data observability and monitoring across the data platform

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or related field
5+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or similar roles
Strong experience with stream processing platforms (Apache Kafka, Apache Flink)
Expertise in data lakes and data warehouses (Delta Lake, Apache Iceberg, Click House)
Experience with distributed computing frameworks (Apache Spark)
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

Preferred Skills & Experience

Experience with container orchestration (Kubernetes)
Familiarity with ML platforms (Kubeflow) and feature stores
Proficiency in Python, SQL, and NoSQL databases (including Couchbase)
Experience with real-time data processing and time-series databases
Knowledge of data quality tools and practices (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 related to telemetry processing
Understanding of data governance in regulated environments
Background in high-performance computing
Passion for space exploration and building systems that operate in space

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.

About Turion Space

Turion Space is building the infrastructure to secure and sustain the future of space. Founded to address the growing need for space domain awareness, in-space servicing, and debris mitigation, Turion designs, builds, and operates spacecraft with real-world operational capability. Our vehicles are built for national security and commercial missions that require speed, autonomy, and resilience.

We believe the next chapter of space operations will be defined by who can act, not just observe. That’s why we’re focused on building platforms that move fast, adapt in orbit, and solve problems ranging from satellite servicing to tactical intelligence gathering.

We successfully launched our DROID.001 satellite in June 2023 and DROID.002 in March 2025. DROID.003 is scheduled for launch in 2026.

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