Orbit Analyst

KBR Careers; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

KBR’s National Security Solutions team seeks an Orbit Analyst to perform orbit analysis, generate orbital products, and support mission operations for space systems. You will engage with mission partners, contribute to launch planning, and help automate daily processes in a 24/7 environment.

The role requires TS/SCI clearance (polygraph) or equivalent, a STEM degree, and strong analytical and collaborative skills. On-site at a government facility in Colorado Springs with up to 10% travel.

Qualifications

• Clearance TS/SCI with Polygraph is required.
• Bachelor’s or STEM equivalent with relevant space/orbital mechanics experience or equivalent work experience.
• Strong self-motivation, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Perform orbit analysis and generate orbit products for space systems and mission operations.
• Coordinate satellite contacts and distribute daily orbital data for mission users.
• Support launch planning, trajectory prediction, and sensor coverage analysis.
• Interface with customers and mission partners; maintain station data and TIZ information.
• Participate in testing of tracking stations and mission readiness activities.
• Support software/hardware upgrades and automation to daily operations.
• Create and maintain procedures, documentation, and training materials.

Skills

Clearance: TS/SCI with polygraph

Independent performance

Organization

Problem solving

Communication & collaboration

Analytical tools & automation

Satellite operations knowledge

Operational flexibility

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Systems Engineering/Physics/Math/Astrodynamics or STEM

High School Diploma with 3 years orbital mechanics/space ops experience

Tools

STK

ODTK

MATLAB

Python

Perl

Visual Basic

Job description

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role: protecting our national security.

Title

Orbit Analyst

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: KBR's work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT, and cybersecurity solutions.
• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

Key Responsibilities

• Orbit Analysis: Perform orbit analysis, orbit product generation, orbital determination, and daily orbital analysis activities in support of customer space systems and mission operations.
• Satellite Contacts: Generate, distribute, and provide daily orbital data required to execute numerous satellite contacts and support external mission users.
• Launch Planning and Support: Support launch nominal planning and day-of-launch activities, including trajectory prediction, orbit estimation, sensor coverage analysis, telemetry collection planning, and mission execution support.
• Customer and Mission Interface: Participate in program-to-customer interface requirements definition, coordinate with mission partners and external stakeholders, and maintain tracking station location, obscura, and Transmit Inhibit Zone (TIZ) data to support mission success.
• Operational Support: Participate in testing efforts for upgraded tracking stations, support mission readiness activities, and assist with customer education in astrodynamics and orbital operations.
• Technology Modernization and Automation: Support Orbit Analyst software and hardware upgrades, technology insertion initiatives, automation efforts, and continuous process improvements supporting daily operations and launch activities.
• Documentation and Process Compliance: Create, maintain, and improve operational procedures, technical documentation, engineering products, and training materials in accordance with established processes and standards.

Qualifications Required

• Clearance: TS/SCI with a Polygraph.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Astrodynamics, or another STEM discipline with no prior experience required; or a High School Diploma/GED with 3 years of experience in orbital mechanics, satellite operations, space operations, or a related field.
• Independent Performance and Organization: Self-motivated professional with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, milestones, schedules, and complex technical challenges.
• Process Discipline: Ability to create, follow, and improve standard processes while clearly documenting technical and operational results.
• Problem Solving in Critical Situations: Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills demonstrated through application of technical standards, theories, concepts, and techniques.
• Communication and Collaboration: Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with users, customers, management, mission operators, and engineering personnel in both technical and non-technical environments.
• Analytical Tools and Automation: Experience with orbital analysis, modeling, simulation, or mission planning tools such as STK, ODTK, and MATLAB. Experience developing or maintaining scripts, analytical tools, data-processing applications, or automation solutions using Python, Perl, Visual Basic, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.
• Satellite Operations Knowledge: Foundational understanding of satellite command and control theories and methodologies, orbital mechanics, and space operations principles.
• Operational Flexibility: Ability to occasionally work odd and/or extended hours supporting a 24/7 operational environment, particularly during launch operations.

Desired

• Astrodynamics and Analysis: Experience with orbital propagation and perturbations, orbit estimation, orbital maneuvers, astrodynamics, modeling, simulation, and mission analysis.
• Evaluating Technology: Ability to assess established and emerging technologies for applicability to mission operations and architectural initiatives.
• Engineering and Technology Assessment: Experience supporting the full system lifecycle including requirements analysis, design, development, integration, test, sustainment, and technology trade studies involving government and commercial hardware/software solutions.
• Operational Procedures: Ability to develop and maintain operational procedures, products, technical documentation, and training materials.
• Systems Engineering: Knowledge of and experience with systems engineering methodologies and related engineering processes.
• Space Communications and Ground Systems: Knowledge of satellite command and control architectures, SCN operations, tracking station operations, telemetry collection systems, and communications topologies including SGLS, K-band, and X-band architectures.
• Mission Operations: Experience supporting launch operations, orbit product generation and distribution, satellite operations, or operational space programs.

Work Environment

• Location: On-site at a government customer facility in the Colorado Springs area.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 10% travel as required to support customer and mission objectives.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

Monday-Friday 40 hours (additional hours may be required to support launch operations, mission events, and customer-directed activities)

Basic Compensation

$74,900 - $138,400 USD annually

Additional Compensation

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, paid time off, and flexible work schedules. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These values inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward, being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team-of-teams philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect, and Grow. We Deliver Together.

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.