Software Engineering
Backend Developer (Java & Python, Microservices)
Your mission is to design and maintain a scalable, asynchronous backend that powers OKAPI:Orbits' end-to-end solutions across mission design, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management (STM), Flight Dynamics (FD), and Space Traffic Coordination (STC), supporting satellite operators throughout their entire mission lifecycle.
About the role
Your mission is to design and maintain a scalable, asynchronous backend that powers OKAPI:Orbits' end-to-end solutions across mission design, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management (STM), Flight Dynamics (FD), and Space Traffic Coordination (STC), supporting satellite operators throughout their entire mission lifecycle.
You'll work primarily on external customer projects with a Python-based tech stack, while also contributing in parallel to our products built on Java Spring Boot. You design and implement robust microservices that process and distribute large volumes of orbital and telemetry data to deliver reliable APIs and automation processes. You already bring solid experience and take independent ownership of parts of the backend architecture across both environments.
You'll work on the systems that enable satellite operators and space agencies to analyze, coordinate, and protect their missions in an increasingly crowded space environment.
Studies show that women are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet 100% of the requirements. Please know that we explicitly encourage you to apply if this applies to you, as long as you bring a passion for space technology, reliable software development, and sustainable use of space.
OKAPI:Orbits already brings together a highly diverse team and is actively committed to growing that diversity further, since studies show that heterogeneous teams achieve better results and drive innovation.
You'll work primarily on external customer projects with a Python-based tech stack, while also contributing in parallel to our products built on Java Spring Boot. You design and implement robust microservices that process and distribute large volumes of orbital and telemetry data to deliver reliable APIs and automation processes. You already bring solid experience and take independent ownership of parts of the backend architecture across both environments.
You'll work on the systems that enable satellite operators and space agencies to analyze, coordinate, and protect their missions in an increasingly crowded space environment.
Studies show that women are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet 100% of the requirements. Please know that we explicitly encourage you to apply if this applies to you, as long as you bring a passion for space technology, reliable software development, and sustainable use of space.
OKAPI:Orbits already brings together a highly diverse team and is actively committed to growing that diversity further, since studies show that heterogeneous teams achieve better results and drive innovation.
Key responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain asynchronous, microservice-based backend systems, primarily in Python for external customer projects and in parallel in Java Spring Boot for our products
- Implement and optimize data processing and distribution pipelines that handle large volumes of orbital, telemetry, and mission data
- Design and maintain message-based communication structures between microservices (e.g., via RabbitMQ or comparable message brokers)
- Collaborate closely with space engineers and scientists to translate mission-related requirements into scalable, robust software solutions
- Share responsibility for the backend architecture across both tech stacks, with a focus on performance, fault tolerance, and maintainability
- Plan and document implementation steps, from system architecture through deployment in a cloud-native environment
- Ensure code quality, automated testing, and adherence to security and development standards
- Advance CI/CD pipelines, observability, and automation to support stable, continuous releases
- Analyze and resolve complex issues in distributed systems with a focus on efficiency and reliability
- Work within small, interdisciplinary teams, contributing your backend expertise to cross-functional projects
What you bring
Must have
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or completed vocational training as a Fachinformatiker (IT specialist)
- At least 2 years of professional experience with Python for backend development, scripting, automation, or data processing
- At least 2 years of professional experience in backend software development with Java (Spring Boot or comparable)
- Solid understanding of microservice architectures, asynchronous systems, and distributed communication patterns
- Practical experience with testing and code quality assurance
- Experience with, or willingness to quickly get up to speed on, message-based communication between services (e.g., RabbitMQ or comparable message brokers) and containerization (Docker)
- Ability to independently plan, implement, and review complex features in close collaboration with engineers and scientists
- Proactive communication, structured way of working, and good written and spoken English
Nice to have
- Experience with orchestration, particularly Kubernetes
- Experience with code reviews and adherence to coding standards
- Solid understanding of software architecture principles, including modular structure, scalability, and maintainability
- Experience with secure software development
- Background in or interest in the space or aerospace sector
What we offer
A permanent contract, a real budget to learn, and a team that reviews its own benefits with the people who use them. Flexible core hours, 30 days of holiday, a subsidized pension, Hansefit, a BahnCard, and workation for more than a month a year.
Who you’ll work with
“You will own a slice of the platform end to end. Nobody here hands you a ticket and walks away.”
Team lead
Engineering
Engineering
How we work
How we work
- Reality over abstractionReal catalogues, real physics, real orbital data. Demos run on the same engine that flies for customers.
- Clarity over decorationOperational tools earn their place by what they let you decide, not by what they look like at trade shows.
- Audit by defaultEvery decision is stamped, versioned, and exportable. There is no undocumented path.
- No conflict of interestWe do not operate satellites. Our only incentive is the accuracy of the assessment.
- Calm in the roomOperations work is high-stakes. The platform lowers the stress level, not amplifies it.
About OKAPI:Orbits
Space Situational Awareness, built for operations
OKAPI:Orbits is a Braunschweig-based Space Situational Awareness (SSA) company. We build the operational layer that satellite operators, governments, and institutions rely on to keep spacecraft safe in increasingly congested orbits.
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