On-Orbit Test Astrodynamics Engineer — Mission Lead

Northrop Grumman; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Colorado Springs, CO, seeks an On-Orbit Test Astrodynamics Engineer to drive mission planning, test execution and analysis in a strict SCI environment. You’ll partner with engineers, vendors and analysts to ensure feasible, safe and effective on-orbit tests.

This 100% on-site role requires active SCI clearance, a STEM degree and extensive astrodynamics experience; it offers a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off and relocation assistance may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM with 8 years of related experience; 6 years with a Master’s; 4 years with a PhD.
• Active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application.
• Experience with mission planning and/or orbital analyst responsibilities focusing on RPO.
• Familiarity with physics-based simulations and post-processing results.
• Experience in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics; knowledge of numerical propagators and earth-orbiting space vehicles.
• Advanced understanding of relative motion problems and mission planning for RPO missions.
• Experience with navigation filters and image processing techniques algorithms.
• Knowledge of satellite operations engineering disciplines (attitude control, power, thermal, propulsion, C&DH, flight/ground software, anomaly resolution).

Responsibilities

• Drive and develop On-Orbit Test activities including mission planning, scenario development, dry-run/rehearsal and test execution.
• Perform pre-test and execution actions including mission plan creation & review, safety of flight analysis, and vehicle phasing analysis
• Integrate closely with vendors, cognizant engineers, subject matter experts, orbital analysists, and systems engineers to ensure realistic, achievable test plans
• Conduct analysis on test feasibility considering limits, constraints, estimated fuel usage, and overall objectives
• Lead on-console operations during On-Orbit Test activities as Test Director
• Lead testing using simulators and assist in resolving discrepancies

Skills

Mission planning

Orbital analysis

Astrodynamics

RPO missions

Navigation filters

Image processing

Satellite operations

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

FreeFlyer

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM

Master’s degree

PhD in related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

FreeFlyer

Job description

Northrop Grumman in Colorado Springs, CO, seeks an On-Orbit Test Astrodynamics Engineer to drive mission planning, test execution and analysis in a strict SCI environment. You’ll partner with engineers, vendors and analysts to ensure feasible, safe and effective on-orbit tests.

This 100% on-site role requires active SCI clearance, a STEM degree and extensive astrodynamics experience; it offers a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off and relocation assistance may be available.