NASA Communications Testbed Software Development

The Near-Earth Operations Testbed (NEO-T) is a sub-project under NASA’s Communications Services Project. We’re building advanced hardware-in-the-loop emulation capabilities that allow NASA missions to interact with commercial space relay communication services from the comfort of the laboratory. NEO-T allows direct connections between mission hardware and actual commercial provider systems, and supports missions from planning through system integration phases, and beyond. Learn more about the project at: https://www.nasa.gov/general/communications-services-project/. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

As a member of the NEO-T team, you will play a crucial role in designing and developing the software that forms the foundation of our testbed. Your contributions will directly influence how future space missions communicate. You will have the opportunity to: 

    • Develop software to validate key design concepts and serve as the foundation of the              testbed software implementation. 

    • Evaluate and modify off-the-shelf software for reuse within the testbed environment. 

    • Utilize specialized hardware to emulate complex space networking scenarios, gaining            hands-on experience with space communication technologies. 

    • Work alongside experienced NASA engineers, actively seeking guidance and sharing            your knowledge. 

    • Present your accomplishments and progress to the broader NASA community through          presentations. 

Desired Qualifications and Experience: 

While a strong foundation in the following areas is preferred, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all requirements: 

    • Proficiency in programming languages such as C, C++, Python, Rust, and/or Go 

    • A solid understanding of and application of software engineering principles. 

    • Familiarity with computer networking protocols. 

    • Any exposure to radio-frequency engineering concepts is a plus.