Orbit Analyst

KBR; 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

Life insurance

AD&D

Flexible spending accounts

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Flexible work schedules

Professional training and development

Job summary

KBR, Inc. is seeking an Orbit Analyst to support national security space missions from a government facility in Colorado Springs. You will perform orbit analysis, generate orbit products, and support mission operations, including 24/7 readiness and collaboration with mission partners and customers.

The role emphasizes advanced tools, scripting, and continuous process improvements. Applicants should have a STEM degree and may qualify with equivalent experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field; experience optional if degree is substituted.
• Experience with orbital mechanics, satellite operations, or space operations is advantageous.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and document technical results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Perform orbit analysis, orbit product generation, orbit determination, and daily orbital analysis.
• Generate and distribute daily orbital data for satellite contacts and external missions.
• Support launch planning, trajectory prediction, and mission execution activities.
• Coordinate requirements with customers, partners, and mission stakeholders; maintain tracking data.
• Contribute to testing of upgraded tracking stations and mission readiness activities.
• Support software/hardware upgrades, automation, and daily operational improvements.
• Create and maintain procedures, documentation, and training materials.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Troubleshooting

Scripting (Python/Perl/VB)

Team collaboration

Problem solving under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM (Aerospace, Systems, Physics, Math, Astrodynamics)

HS Diploma/GED + 3 years orbital mechanics/space ops experience

Tools

STK

ODTK

MATLAB

Python

Perl

Visual Basic

Job description

Title: Orbit Analyst Orbit Analyst 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.

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 & Compensation

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.

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. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

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

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• AD&D
• Flexible spending accounts
• Disability coverage
• Paid time off
• Flexible work schedules
• Professional training and development

Company Culture & Values

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.

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.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR. 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-teams 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.

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World.

KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected, and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology-led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities we work in, and our people is good for business. We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision-makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team-of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, and more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.