Space Situational Awareness Engineer

OKAPI:Orbits GmbH; Braunschweig; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Training budgets

Industry conferences

Job summary

OKAPI: Orbits in Germany seeks a senior SSA specialist to advance space situational awareness. You will develop cutting-edge collision-avoidance algorithms, integrate third-party sensor data, and improve orbital risk assessment for satellite operators.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and data scientists, validate algorithms with real datasets, and help transition R&D into scalable, production-ready solutions while adhering to German regulations and relocation flexibility.

Qualifications

• MSc or higher in a relevant field or equivalent SSA/SST experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience; exceptional candidates with 3+ years considered.
• Strong knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics and flight dynamics.
• Proficiency in Java, Fortran (90+) or Python for scientific programming.
• Germany-based or willing to relocate; valid work permit for Germany/EU.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with aerospace engineers, data scientists and software developers to integrate third‑party sensor data into the SSA platform.
• Integrate and onboard external data sources with partners in a production‑grade data pipeline.
• Develop and optimize high‑precision algorithms for orbit propagation, orbit determination, sensor fusion and uncertainty quantification.
• Fuse data from diverse sources to form a coherent view of the space debris environment.
• Conduct V&V campaigns to benchmark algorithmic performance against ground truth data.
• Work with software engineers to transition prototypes to scalable, production‑ready solutions.

Skills

Java

Fortran (90+)

Python

Education

MSc or higher in relevant field

Job description

Your mission

Join us in safeguarding the sustainability of space operations through advanced space situational awareness (SSA) technologies. As part of our team, you will develop cutting-edge collision avoidance algorithms, enhance space situational awareness, and innovate tools for satellite operators. Your expertise in data science and physics will help us detect, predict, and mitigate orbital risks, ensuring safe and sustainable space exploration.

Your tasks and responsibilities

• You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of aerospace engineers, data scientists, and software developers to integrate and optimize third-party sensor data sources within our SSA platform. Your contributions will directly enhance the accuracy, automation, and scalability of our orbital risk management solutions.
• Integrate third-party data sources into our platform, working closely with providers to seamlessly onboard their data.
• Develop, implement, and optimize high-precision algorithms for orbit propagation, orbit determination (OD), sensor fusion, covariance modelling, and uncertainty quantification.
• Develop methods to fuse data from diverse sources into one common image of the space debris environment.
• Conduct validation and verification (V&V) campaigns to benchmark and refine algorithmic performance against ground truth datasets.
• Work closely with software engineers to transition prototype algorithms into scalable, production-ready solutions.

Your profile

Must-have:

• M.Sc. or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Space Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field, or have prior work experience in the field of SSA/SST and related.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience is required. However, candidates with outstanding profiles may be considered with at least 3 years of experience.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and flight dynamics.
• Experience in scientific programming using at least one of the following languages: Java, Fortran (90+) or Python.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative, and research-driven environment.
• This position is only open to candidates currently based in Germany or willing to relocate.
• Valid working permit for Germany/EU.

Nice-to-have:

• Hands-on experience with space surveillance and tracking (SST) systems, including sensor tasking and catalog maintenance.
• Experience working with space agencies or private space companies in the SSA/SST field.
• Familiarity with space surveillance and tracking systems.
• Understanding of space policy and compliance frameworks.
• Experience with AI/ML applicationsfor anomaly detection, pattern recognition, or orbit prediction in SSA applications.
• Interest in contributing to the sustainability of space and long-term spaceflight operations.

Why us?

• With a lean hierarchy and small working groups, you define your own way of work including flexible work hours.
• Work on groundbreaking space sustainability challenges with a team of top-tier engineers and scientists.
• After your on-boarding time in Braunschweig, you can choose between staying in our office (what we prefer), working remote (within Germany) or a hybrid approach.
• Enjoy technical freedom. Influence system architecture, research methodologies, and data integration approaches.
• Grow continuously with access to training budgets, industry conferences, and networking opportunities.
• Be part of a strong engineering culture,with regular knowledge-sharing sessions, technical deep dives, and innovation sprints.
• Great team spirit, with company-wide events such as monthly all-hands lunches, and social activities like laser tag, dinners, and team-building outings.