We spoke with Masaya Arai, a Principal Cloud Architect in the Data Production Department. He designs and builds cloud infrastructure to enable satellite operations and serves as a core member of Synspective’s internal AI Task Force. We asked him about his career shift, the realities of his role, and what inspires him at Synspective.
Supporting Satellite Operations Through Cloud Infrastructure: A Cross-Functional “Bridge”
Interviewer (PR): First, could you tell us about your current responsibilities?
Masaya: I am part of the Ground Control Unit in the Data Production Department, a team responsible for developing satellite control systems. We build applications that send commands to satellites, receive and analyze telemetry data, and support the core of operational activities. Within this team, I focus primarily on designing and building the cloud platform.
My role is not just to provision cloud resources. It’s about designing an end-to-end architecture that strikes the right balance between security, operational efficiency, cost, and performance. The department consists of several subsystems, each with its own infrastructure engineer and unique requirements. Because we all rely on the same cloud foundation, I also act as a bridge across teams—identifying shared challenges, aligning milestones, and working toward overall optimization.
More recently, I joined the company-wide AI Task Force. We’re exploring how to integrate AI into internal workflows and how it can transform our development processes and decision-making, while collaborating closely with various departments.
A Turning Point — “I Wanted to Use Engineering, by My Own Will, to Benefit Society”
Interviewer (PR): What kind of work did you do before joining Synspective?
Masaya: In my previous role for 11 years, I worked primarily with financial institutions, covering system planning and design, implementation, and operations. Financial systems demand high stability and reliability, so each project carries substantial weight. I learned a great deal as an IT architect.
At the same time, I increasingly felt a desire to tackle problems I believed were truly important, based on my own judgment and sense ofresponsibility. Delivering projects shaped by clients’ needs is important, but for me, engineering is ultimately a means to solve meaningful challenges. I wanted to shift toward defining those challenges myself and addressing issues with real societal impact. That mindset led me to join a product company and eventually Synspective, a field full of challenges and possibilities.
Why Synspective? Space, Global Collaboration, and Disaster Experience
Interviewer (PR): Among the many options out there, why did you choose Synspective?
Masaya: My decision came down to three major reasons.
The first was simple curiosity toward the unknown field of space. I loved reading books about stars and the universe when I was young, and the desire to be involved in space-related work never really left me. Even as a professional, the space development sector has always fascinated me.
The second reason was the opportunity to work in a global environment. I previously lived in India, where the diversity of values and cultural differences deeply inspired me. That experience reinforced my belief that working with people from different backgrounds broadens perspectives and sparks creativity. I wanted to be part of a globally diverse team tackling challenges on a planetary scale.
The third reason stems from a personal experience with natural disasters. In 2018, the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake struck my hometown area, and my grandmother’s community was affected. She was safe, but seeing the situation unfold so close to home made disaster resilience feel urgent and personal. Synspective’s satellite data could support disaster assessment and recovery efforts. I felt a strong desire to use my skills to directly contribute to people’s safety.
Synspective was the one place where all three motivations came together.
Growing in a Global Environment — Expanding Perspective Through English and Technical Expertise
Interviewer (PR): I’ve heard that you often work in a global environment now. Did you struggle with English at first?
Masaya: Synspective offers strong support for English learning, and I began studying after joining. By immersing myself in English every day and practicing consistently, I gradually became more comfortable communicating in English. Both my department and the cross-functional platform teams include many international members, so English conversations naturally occur daily. Even if it feels challenging at first, you will inevitably improve through real-world practice.
I’ve also realized that improving language skills directly expands your career. The latest developments in AI and cloud technologies are often published in English, so having access to global information is directly tied to sharpening your technical expertise. Being able to invest in myself through company support is something I really appreciate.
AI Task Force — A Wave of Transformation Spreading from Bottom-Up to Top-Down
Interviewer (PR): You were also involved in launching the AI Task Force. What kinds of activities does that involve?
Masaya: The starting point was attending Google Cloud Next 2025, a global event. What struck me there was the mindset of embedding AI into daily operations rather than treating it as a standalone tool. Many companies were positioning AI at the core of their business, and the speed of that shift gave me a strong sense of urgency.
After returning to Japan, I began introducing AI tools within the Data Production Department. It started from scratch, interviewing team members, selecting tools, defining security guidelines, and coordinating budgets. What began as individual experimentation gradually spread across the department and eventually led to the establishment of a company-wide AI Task Force.
AI is like a partner that broadens my knowledge. Its true value lies in helping you realize what you don’t yet know. At the same time, our mission is to embed AI not only as a tool but as part of our organizational culture.
We’re now building an environment that enables safe, flexible AI use, balancing technical, security, and regulatory considerations. What started as a bottom-up initiative has now gained top-down support and evolved into a company-wide transformation project.
Looking ahead, I want to enhance the value of satellite data by integrating AI and cloud technologies to enable rapid disaster assessment, support infrastructure management, monitor environmental changes, and more. My goal is to transform satellite-derived insights into something that directly strengthens people’s safety and peace of mind.
Final Message — “Join Us If You Are Curious, Embrace Change, and Take Ownership in Solving Global Challenges”
Interviewer (PR): Finally, do you have a message for those considering joining Synspective?
Masaya: Synspective is a company that welcomes ideas and encourages challenge. If you’re ready to step into the unknown and approach change with a positive mindset, you will thrive here. We’d love to work with people who want to use new technologies to tackle real societal issues.