Lead Astrodynamics Engineer – LEO Constellation Design

Apolink; Palo Alto, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity

Own optical hardware

Relocation assistance

401(k)

Job summary

Apolink is seeking an experienced astrodynamics and mission-design engineer to design and manage a LEO constellation. You will specify orbit architectures, perform coverage analyses, and develop Δv budgets for deployment, station-keeping, and end-of-life disposal, coordinating with RF and propulsion teams.

You'll own the orbit determination pipeline, perform conjunction screening, and provide mission parameters for filings with the FCC and ITU.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with LEO mission or constellation design.
• 4+ years in applied astrodynamics, mission design, or flight dynamics.
• BS/MS/PhD in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, or physics, or equivalent demonstrated depth.
• Proficiency with at least one of GMAT, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, Orekit, Tudat, or Basilisk, and strong Python.
• Solid perturbation modelling: J2 and higher-order gravity, atmospheric drag (NRLMSISE-00, JB2008), and SRP.
• Capacity to exercise independent technical judgement as the orbital authority and be accountable for it.

Responsibilities

• Design and own constellation architecture: plane count, altitude, inclination, LTAN, and intra- and inter-plane phasing.
• Run SLA-grade coverage analysis on link-closing access: handover continuity, window durations, gap statistics, and percent-time-covered for specific target orbits.
• Work with the RF team to close coverage and access analysis against real RF link budgets rather than geometric visibility alone.
• Model ISL relative geometry between constellation members and customer spacecraft, including range and handover timing.
• Develop Δv and propellant budgets for drag makeup, station-keeping, collision avoidance, and end-of-life disposal.
• Build and maintain the orbit determination, ephemeris, and maneuver-planning pipeline; conduct conjunction screening and CDM responses.
• Provide orbital parameters and deorbit analysis for FCC and ITU filings.

Skills

LEO constellation design

Astrodynamics

Orbit design

Python

Conjunction analysis

Education

BS/MS/PhD in aerospace engineering or related

Tools

GMAT

STK/ODTK

FreeFlyer

Orekit

Tudat

Basilisk

Job description

Apolink is seeking an experienced astrodynamics and mission-design engineer to design and manage a LEO constellation. You will specify orbit architectures, perform coverage analyses, and develop Δv budgets for deployment, station-keeping, and end-of-life disposal, coordinating with RF and propulsion teams.

You'll own the orbit determination pipeline, perform conjunction screening, and provide mission parameters for filings with the FCC and ITU.