Network Architect

Azora•Phoenix, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Define the end-to-end network architecture connecting Azora's space terminals, optical ground stations, and customer delivery points. You will own how data, telemetry, and control flow across a hybrid space-ground network with intermittent, weather-dependent optical links – covering everything from link-layer protocols and ARQ schemes to ground network topology, routing, scheduling, and security.

Requirements

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
7+ years in network architecture or space communications systems engineering, with at least 2 years on space or satellite programs.
Deep knowledge of networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, routing, transport protocols over high-latency/lossy links, and performance-enhancing techniques.
Experience with space link protocols (CCSDS suite – AOS/USLP, COP-1, CFDP – or equivalent proprietary stacks).
Demonstrated ability to write clear architecture documents, ICDs, and requirements.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with optical space-to-ground or inter-satellite links and their availability/fading characteristics.
Familiarity with DTN (Bundle Protocol), QUIC, or custom reliable transport over intermittent links.
Experience designing ground station networks, teleports, or satellite operations infrastructure.
Working knowledge of crypto/key management for space systems (e.g., CCSDS SDLS) and relevant security accreditation processes.

Responsibilities

Architect the end-to-end network: space-to-ground optical links, inter-site terrestrial backhaul, network operations center (NOC) integration, and customer data delivery.
Define protocol stacks for optical links operating over fading atmospheric channels, including framing, FEC/interleaving strategy at the network layer, ARQ, and delay/disruption-tolerant networking (DTN) where appropriate.
Design site-diversity and handover strategies that exploit multiple ground stations to maximize network availability under cloud cover.
Develop network-level scheduling and resource allocation across satellite passes, ground stations, and customer demand.
Specify ground segment IT/network infrastructure: routing, VPNs/encryption, QoS, monitoring, and integration with cloud delivery (AWS/Azure ground-station-style interfaces).
Define security architecture across the network, including key management and encrypted command/telemetry paths.
Produce ICDs and requirements that flow down to software, FPGA, and ground systems teams; support trade studies and customer technical engagements.