Orbit Determination Engineer / Astrodynamicist

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

Orbit Determination Engineer / Astrodynamicist

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 build orbit determination products from our laser ranging data. They’re a core part of what we offer customers, and you’ll shape them from the start.

What you’ll do

• 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

What you’ll bring

• An MSc or PhD (or equivalent experience) in astrodynamics, aerospace engineering or physics

• Hands‑on orbit determination (batch least squares, Kalman filtering) using real tracking data

• Experience with Orekit, GMAT, GEODYN, ODTK or your own tools

• Strong Python, C++ or Java

• A solid grasp of time systems and reference frames

Nice to have

• SLR, GNSS or DORIS processing

• Space situational awareness or conjunction assessment

• Covariance realism

• Flight dynamics operations

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. If you’re excited by the role but don’t match every point, or you’re seeking a part time role, please apply anyway and add a note into your application. Building the best team is our priority.