Applied Physical Scientist

FTI Defense - Frontier Technology Inc.; Beverly (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

FTI Defense - Frontier Technology Inc. in Beverly, MA seeks an experienced Applied Physical Scientist to advance Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities. You will design and implement algorithms for SDA, analyze datasets, and translate physics-based models into deployable software.

Join a multidisciplinary team working in a cloud-native DevOps environment using Python/Java, Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD. This on-site role requires TS/SCI clearance and U.S.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, Applied Mathematics or related field.
• Active TS/SCI clearance and U.S. citizenship required.
• Experience applying statistical methods to scientific data.
• Experience with SDA concepts and space-domain analytics.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement algorithms for SDA applications including detection, tracking and characterization in space.
• Analyze SDA datasets and simulations to improve situational awareness and decision making.
• Develop production-quality code in Python and Java/Spring Boot; follow CI/CD practices.
• Containerize algorithms with Docker for deployment to Kubernetes clusters.
• Collaborate with domain experts and engineers; communicate results to stakeholders.

Skills

Algorithm development

Statistical analysis

Data modeling

Space domain knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, Applied Mathematics

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

MongoDB

Git

Jenkins

Spring Boot

NumPy/SciPy

Job description

Overview

Frontier Technology Inc. is seeking an experienced Applied Physical Scientist to join our Sensor and Data Services team in Beverly, MA. This role focuses on Space Domain Awareness (SDA), including advanced analysis, physics-based modeling, algorithm development, and deployment of solutions for space-based systems. Experience with EOIR sensors is beneficial but not required.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists and software engineers, developing and deploying algorithms and services that enhance space situational awareness. Our team operates in a cloud-native development environment using modern DevOps practices. This position is currently 100% on-site at our Beverly, MA facility due to the classified nature of the work. Active TS security clearance is required to be upgraded with a SCI.

Scientific Analysis and Algorithm Development

• Design and implement algorithms for SDA applications, including object detection, tracking, and characterization in space environments.
• Analyze SDA-related datasets and simulations to improve space situational awareness and decision-making capabilities.
• Apply expertise in statistics, data modeling, simulation, and advanced mathematics to identify patterns and deliver innovative solutions.
• Perform image processing, coordinate transformations, sensor calibration, and related analytical tasks as needed.

Software Development and Deployment

• Develop production-quality code in Python and Java/Spring Boot, following modern software engineering practices including version control, code review, automated testing, and CI/CD.
• Containerize algorithms and services using Docker for deployment to Kubernetes clusters.
• Participate in the full development lifecycle: design, implementation, testing, deployment, and monitoring.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with SDA and EOIR domain experts to refine algorithm requirements and validate results.
• Partner with software engineers to integrate scientific algorithms into robust, deployable services.
• Engage with customers to present technical results, gather feedback, and define future tasking. Communicate complex technical results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Education and Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related discipline.

Domain Knowledge

• Strong technical background in astronomy or physics.
• Practical knowledge of telescopes and optical systems, including observation planning or mission design.
• Experience with standard astronomical data analysis and reduction procedures.
• Strong mathematical foundation, with experience applying statistical methods to scientific data.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required.

Software Development

• Programming fluency in Python with scientific computing libraries (NumPy, SciPy, or equivalent).
• Experience with Java development; Spring Boot experience strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with containerized development workflows (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of MongoDB or similar document databases.
• Proficiency with Git for version control and collaborative development.
• Experience writing automated tests (unit, integration) for scientific and production code.
• Desired experience with STK (Ansys Systems Tool Kit), OD++ or similar orbit determination software.