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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Software Engineer, Backend - **Company:** Aalyria - **Location:** UK (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £68,107.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Clean Code Principles, Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), C++ (Programming Language), Software Debugging, Distributed Systems, Protocol Buffers, Network Model, Performance Tuning, Software Engineering, Software Systems, Wireless Networks, O-RAN, Istio, Backend, Build Management, Kubernetes, Information Technology, SDN Network, Grpc, Golang - **Published:** September 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/details/5870761671 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Engineering or equivalent work experience * Professional experience working in C++, Golang, and/or Java * Knowledge of gRPC and Protocol Buffers * Experience building and operating distributed systems * Familiarity with wireless communications, modeling of wireless performance, or satellite communications * Strong technical communication skills, and ability to communicate across multiple functions We know that engineers who combine strong software craft with deep 3GPP/O-RAN domain expertise are rare, and rarer still in 5G NTN. Experience in any of the areas below will make you stand out, but we do not expect any one candidate to cover them all. If you are a great software engineer and these topics excite you, we will give you the environment and the domain experts to master them. * Professional software development experience on systems related to 3GPP 4G/5G networks: RAN (eNB/gNB, CU/DU), Core (EPC/5GC), or their management and orchestration (OAM, FCAPS, NRM/network models) * Hands-on experience with the O-RAN architecture: SMO, Non-RT/Near-RT RIC, rApps or xApps, or the O-RAN interfaces (O1, E2, R1) * Familiarity with 3GPP NTN and Direct-to-Cell / Supplemental Coverage from Space concepts (Rel-17+) * Experience implementing or integrating against 3GPP or O-RAN specified APIs and data models (e.g. SA5 NRM, 3GPP SBI, O-RAN R1 service APIs) * Experience with wireless standards work or applying 3GPP/ETSI/O-RAN specifications in production software * Hands-on experience working with Kubernetes and cloud-native telecom deployments (CNFs, Helm, service mesh) * Professional experience with performance optimization of distributed systems * Experience working in the aerospace & defense or telecommunications industry * Familiarity with software-defined networking platforms ## Description We are looking for a strong backend Software Engineer to join the Spacetime team and help build the next generation of our platform: orchestration of 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and Direct-to-Cell services, and coordination between satellite operators and terrestrial mobile networks through 3GPP- and O-RAN-aligned interfaces. Spacetime orchestrates radio resource management, the scheduling of pointing and handovers for steerable directional antennas and laser terminals, and the control plane for routing and switching across highly dynamic networks such as non-geostationary satellite constellations. In the cellular domain, Spacetime acts as the RIC/SMO for the NTN itself. The NTN work extends the platform with RAN and Core network models and with federation interfaces through which Spacetime coordinates with the SMOs of terrestrial mobile network operators for TN-NTN coordination. First and foremost, this is a software engineering role. You will design and build distributed systems in a modern, cloud-native codebase, working side by side with our 3GPP/NTN solution architects who own the standards and systems expertise. Engineers on the team routinely pick up the telecom domain as they go, therefore deep prior knowledge of it is a genuine advantage, not a prerequisite. * Develop and maintain the Spacetime platform using C++, Golang, Java, gRPC, and Protocol Buffers * Build scalable, distributed systems on Kubernetes * Design and develop Spacetime features for 5G NTN and Direct-to-Cell orchestration, including RIC/SMO capabilities for the NTN, network model extensions, and federation APIs for TN-NTN coordination with terrestrial operators' SMOs * Translate 3GPP and O-RAN concepts and interface specifications into clean, well-tested software, in collaboration with our solution architects * Integrate with other components of the Aalyria platform to ensure end-to-end functionality * Develop and maintain documentation related to the software design and implementation * Stay up-to-date with industry trends and technologies related to 5G NTN, O-RAN, and satellite communications * Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code * Troubleshoot and debug issues in the software ## Related Videos - [Rate-limiting using eBPF and Istio: How to protect your SaaS customers from themselves](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100220-rate-limiting-using-ebpf-and-istio-how-to-protect-your-saas-customers-from-themselves) - [Exploring the Power of gRPC-Gateway for Writing RESTful Services](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2072-exploring-the-power-of-grpc-gateway-for-writing-restful-services) - [Unlocking the potential of Digital & IT at Vodafone](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/602-unlocking-the-potential-of-digital-it-at-vodafone) - [Boosting OpenSearch Performance: gRPC Search in Action](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1964-boosting-opensearch-performance-grpc-search-in-action) - [Unleash the power of 5G in your code: transform your apps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1567-unleash-the-power-of-5g-in-your-code-transform-your-apps) - [Get started with securing your cloud-native Java microservices applications](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/123-get-started-with-securing-your-cloud-native-java-microservices-applications) ## Related Articles - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [How Much Does a Software Engineer Make? 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