Network Systems Engineer

About Urban Sky: 

Urban Sky is a venture-backed aerospace startup that pioneers utilization of the stratosphere and reimagines the way humans view and analyze the earth. We design, build, operate, and sell stratospheric balloon systems, and the data we collect supports a wide range of applications, from real-time wildfire monitoring to urban mapping. Our technology is also employed by government customers including the Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, and others. Urban Sky sends flight vehicles to the stratosphere on a weekly basis. 

Our team consists of engineers, makers, developers, and doers who believe in the power of human potential when passion meets utility within a small, supportive team. At Urban Sky we strive to create a team culture grounded in candor, inclusion, respect and empowerment. 

We aim to build the next chapter of stratospheric history in Denver and are seeking self-starting, open-minded, and hard-working team members. 

The Role

Urban Sky is hiring a Network Systems Engineer to support a mix of internal and operational IT needs in a fast-paced, highly autonomous environment. This role covers a broad range of responsibilities—from standing up building infrastructure to maintaining the network stack on vehicles that connect to Starlink mid-flight.

This is not a traditional IT desk role. You'll work hands-on with hardware, help setup and maintain compliance frameworks, and deploy security controls that support our open culture while helping our systems scale cleanly. We’re looking for someone eager to try new things, integrate modern tools like automated security frameworks and AI systems, while helping to build a lightweight, resilient, and secure computing environment for our team and our vehicles.

Responsibilities

Flight Systems + Vehicle Networking

• Support vehicle-side networking infrastructure (e.g., routers on our mobile command bus and small packet satellite data routing).

• Work with the flight and software teams to integrate networked systems for flight operations—especially tools like telemetry gateways, onboard routers, and remote access endpoints.

• Build maintainable, documented configurations using off-the-shelf equipment (we aim for reliability and reproducibility, not bespoke complexity).

• Occasionally travel to support field exercises requiring ad-hoc or custom networking with flight vehicles. 

Corporate & Operational IT

• Manage our office internet infrastructure, conference room systems, and cloud identity/endpoint management (via Microsoft 365).

• Help implement security controls that align with NIST 800-171 and related compliance frameworks—without creating a rigid or locked-down environment.

• Propose and implement process-light ways to protect sensitive data while preserving engineering agility.

• Assist with procurement, user onboarding, hardware inventory, and occasional direct support needs.

• Identify and drive small automation and quality-of-life improvements across the company’s IT footprint.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong foundation in IP networking, firewalls, and endpoint management.

• Comfortable configuring commercial routers, switches, and wireless APs.

• Familiar with Microsoft 365 administration (especially identity, Teams, SharePoint, and basic endpoint config).

• Understanding of lightweight security practices (e.g., disk encryption, secure provisioning, access control).

• Comfort with scripting and automation (e.g., PowerShell, Python, bash) is a plus.

• Comfort working with government and DoD users with bureaucratic and organizational challenges and nuance

Who Thrives Here

• Self-directed builders who learn quickly and enjoy solving ambiguous problems.

• Engineers who respect security constraints but don’t default to lock-down policies.

• People who prefer minimal meetings, practical documentation, and iterative problem-solving.

Logistics

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

• Role is based in Denver, CO with in-person expectations.

• Salary range: $100,000 – $150,000 depending on experience.

• Stock options included.

• Medical, vision, dental, and unlimited PTO.

NOTE: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes that they have the skills and the passion necessary to succeed here to apply for this role. 

This position may require the candidate to deal with commodities, software, technology, defense articles, and/or technical data which are subject to the Export Administration Regulations and/or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Additional information may be requested so as to determine whether export authorization is required from the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. If authorization is required, employment will be contingent upon the Company successfully obtaining such authorization from the relevant government agency. 

Urban Sky is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.