Astrodynamics Engineer: Orbit Determination & SLR

Foundational; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EMI share options

25 days annual leave

Enhanced parental leave

Cycle to work

Central London offices

Snacks & socials

Job summary

Foundational in London is seeking an Orbit Determination Engineer to build precise orbit products from laser ranging data and related tracking measurements. You will shape core offerings from the ground up, ensuring accuracy and reliability in our data platform.

The role requires hands-on experience with orbit determination techniques and a strong coding background in Python, C++, or Java, plus familiarity with time systems and reference frames. This is an on-site, full-time position in London.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in astrodynamics, aerospace engineering or physics.
• Hands-on orbit determination using real tracking data.
• Experience with Orekit, GMAT, GEODYN or ODTK.
• Strong Python, C++ or Java.
• Solid grasp of time systems and reference frames.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run precise orbit determination using laser ranging and other tracking data.
• Model forces and measurements: gravity, drag, solar radiation pressure, relativity, and station and spacecraft offsets.
• Build orbit prediction and ephemeris products, both for customers and for pointing our own stations.
• Validate against independent orbits, and quantify uncertainty.
• Turn algorithms into robust, tested software on our data platform.
• Work with customers on how they use orbit products.

Skills

Orbit determination

Kalman filtering

Python/C++/Java

Education

MSc or PhD in astrodynamics / aerospace / physics

Tools

Orekit

GMAT

GEODYN

ODTK

Job description

Foundational in London is seeking an Orbit Determination Engineer to build precise orbit products from laser ranging data and related tracking measurements. You will shape core offerings from the ground up, ensuring accuracy and reliability in our data platform.

The role requires hands-on experience with orbit determination techniques and a strong coding background in Python, C++, or Java, plus familiarity with time systems and reference frames. This is an on-site, full-time position in London.