Astrodynamics Engineer

Foundational Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EMI share options

Annual leave + bank holidays

Enhanced parental leave

Cycle to work schemes

London office

Job summary

Foundational Limited in London is seeking an Astrodynamics Engineer to strengthen the Origin platform. You will develop high-accuracy orbit determination and prediction software, delivering robust tooling and robust data products.

You will build automated pipelines, improve force models, and collaborate with customers to apply orbit products in real-world mission contexts. The role is on-site in London, offering EMI options and a dynamic spacetech environment.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience building flight dynamics software.
• Knowledge of Python and modern software practices.
• Experience with operational orbit determination and techniques.
• Familiar with CI/CD, version control and containerisation (Docker).
• Good object-oriented programming and design pattern knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test and improve automated precision orbit determination pipelines and related flight dynamics tooling for Origin.
• Develop improved force models, measurement corrections and spacecraft modeling.
• Build orbit prediction and ephemeris products.
• Testing, validation and monitoring of all data products.
• Produce high-quality software for the platform and interface with customers on how products are used.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Python

Orbit determination

CI/CD pipelines

Version control

Tools

Docker

Orekit

AWS

Job description

Astrodynamics Engineer

This is a future role. We're building a shortlist now and will contact you when it opens.

About us

Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit, using lasers fired from the ground. We call it ground truth for orbit.

We design and run low-cost, autonomous satellite laser ranging stations. They measure the distance to satellites with extreme precision, day and night. Our data platform turns those measurements into tracking data and orbit products for satellite operators, space agencies and governments. We also build our own flight-proven laser retroreflector arrays, so any satellite can be tracked.

Our station network is expanding across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. The data supports resilient navigation, Earth observation and the safe, sustainable use of space.

We're a small, fast-moving team of engineers, scientists and operators in London. We're backed by venture investors and supported by ESA, the UK Space Agency, Innovate UK and the European Innovation Council.

Position Overview

London · Full time · On-site

You'll be a key contributor to our precision orbit determination platform, Origin. You'll develop high accuracy, robust and reliable orbit determination and prediction software to provide the gold standard accuracy for orbit products.

What you'll do

• Develop, test and improve automated precision orbit determination pipelines and other flight dynamics tooling for Foundational's Origin platform

• Develop improved force models, measurement corrections and spacecraft modelling

• Build orbit prediction and ephemeris products

• Testing, validation and monitoring of all data products

• Produce high quality software for our platform

• Work with customers on how they use orbit products

What you'll bring

• At least 3 years of experience building flight dynamics software

• Knowledge of Python

• Experience with operational orbit determination and good knowledge of techniques

• Experience working with modern software development practices (e.g. CI/CD pipelines, version control, docker)

• Ability to write high quality code, knowledge of standard programming best practice (OOP, design patterns)

Nice to have

• Experience with high precision OD

• Knowledge of cloud platforms (ideally AWS)

• Experience with Orekit

• Solid understanding of covariance/uncertainty realism, statistical techniques, etc

What We Offer

• A high-impact role with real ownership at an early-stage, venture-backed spacetech company

• EMI share options (UK employees)

• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays

• Enhanced Parental Leave

• Cycle to work schemes

• Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics

• Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials

We actively champion underrepresented groups and seek to bridge gaps in our workforce. Building the best team is our priority.