Orbit Analyst - Software Engineer

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.; Riverdale Park (MD); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid Time-Off

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is seeking an Orbit Analyst to join its flight dynamics software team, supporting 24x7 space operations. You will build and maintain orbit databases and help optimize mission-critical systems.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in orbit analysis, a strong background in orbital mechanics, and experience with COTS flight dynamics tools. This role offers hybrid collaboration with customers and internal teams in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctorate in Aeronautical/Aerospace/Astronautical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in orbit analysis is required.
• 5+ years in application or product development is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop & Innovate: Build and maintain orbit databases for use in COTS flight dynamics products.
• Design & Optimize: Apply and refine orbit design and optimization for 24x7 systems.
• Solve Complex Problems: Analyze customer requirements and design product enhancements.
• Provide Expert Support: Liaise between users and flight dynamics products, troubleshoot and deliver solutions.
• Collaborate: Work with customers for reviews, installations, and testing.

Skills

Customer communication

Collaboration with customers

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Master's or Doctorate in Aeronautical/Aerospace/Astronautical Engineering or related

Tools

COTS flight dynamics software

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Git

Subversion

Job description

Salary and Experience

• Salary : $125,000 USD Annually - $160,000 USD Annually
• Years Of Experience : 005

Job Description

Readiness Delivered . Kratos engineers and deploys technology and systems that move national security forward, with the cost, speed, and reliability that make readiness certain. We are a trusted partner—driven by doing the right thing and achieving maximum success for our customers, our partners and ourselves. We are seeking an Orbit Analyst to join our flight dynamics software team supporting critical 24x7 space operations and software development. In this role you'll be working with our Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) flight dynamics products to support both internal and external customers.

Primary Functions

• Develop & Innovate: Build and maintain orbit databases for use in COTS flight dynamics products, ensuring optimal performance for mission-critical operations. Built from specifications and requirements
• Design & Optimize: Apply and refine orbit design and optimization guidelines for our 24x7 operational systems
• Solve Complex Problems:Analyze customer requirements, identify gaps, and design product enhancements to meet evolving mission needs
• Provide Expert Support: Serve as a technical liaison between users and our flight dynamics products, troubleshooting issues and delivering solutions
• Collaborate: Work directly with customers for product reviews, installations, and testing

Experience and Skills

Education: Master's or Doctorate degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited institution

Experience

• Minimum 5 years in orbit analysis
• Minimum 5 years in application or product development

Technical Expertise

• Strong foundation in orbital mechanics and celestial mechanics
• Experience with flight dynamics analysis and operations
• Proficiency with COTS flight dynamics software

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Software development experience in C/C++, Python or Java
• Familiarity with orbital analysis tools (STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar)
• Experience supporting 24x7 operational systems
• Background in satellite operations or mission design
• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Experience with a configuration management system such as Git or Subversion
• Experience with the software development lifecycle

LI-Hybrid

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Competitive salary based on experience and education
Salary Range : $125,000-$160,000

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings—from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And, we always deliver.

• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as aprotected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply toour careers site, please send your request to [e-mail] or call 858-964-2916. Any inquiresnot related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate againstemployees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay ofanother employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice .