Orbit Determination Engineer II

Jobtailor; Colorado; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Colorado is seeking a skilled navigation engineer to perform orbit determination for GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary spacecraft, using radiometric data, Doppler, and GPS. You will develop navigation software in Python, Julia, or C++, support mission operations under real-time constraints, and contribute to mission design with a strong emphasis on fast, reliable software.

We value experience with DevOps, Jira, Git, Jenkins, Docker, and a willingness to obtain TS/SCI security

Qualifications

• MS in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical engineering with 2+ years’ experience, or PhD with no extra experience.
• Foundational knowledge of astrodynamics and orbital mechanics.
• Experience or coursework in orbit determination, estimation theory, or navigation.
• Experience in Python, Julia, or C++.
• Familiarity with numerical simulation tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to earn trust and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S.
• Preferred: PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related fields.
• Experience with orbit determination tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT.

Responsibilities

• Perform Orbit Determination: process radiometric, Doppler and GPS to generate orbit solutions for GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary spacecraft; learn to interpret and communicate results in an operational context.
• Develop Navigation Software: write, test, and maintain navigation algorithms and data processing tools in Python, Julia, or C++; contribute to a shared codebase following software development best practices.
• Support Mission Operations: provide operations support during mission-critical phases, learning to execute orbit determination products under real-time constraints alongside experienced navigators.
• Contribute to Mission Design: support trajectory and mission design tasks for GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary concepts.
• Build and Validate Models: develop and validate force models, measurement models, and simulation tools that underpin high-fidelity navigation analysis.
• Collaborate and Communicate: work closely with ATX team members, flight operations teams, and systems engineers; clearly document and present your results in technical memos and design reviews.
• Deliver with Agile Discipline: contribute to sprint planning and delivery in an Agile development environment; use tools such as Jira and git to manage and track your work.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Orbital mechanics

Python

Julia

C++

DevOps

Jira

Git

Jenkins

Docker

AI tooling

Education

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related fields

Tools

Jira

Git

Jenkins

Docker

Job description

Responsibilities

• Perform Orbit Determination: process radiometric, Doppler and GPS to generate orbit solutions for GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary spacecraft; learn to interpret and communicate results in an operational context.
• Develop Navigation Software: write, test, and maintain navigation algorithms and data processing tools in Python, Julia, or C++; contribute to a shared codebase following software development best practices.
• Support Mission Operations: provide operations support during mission-critical phases, learning to execute orbit determination products under real-time constraints alongside experienced navigators.
• Contribute to Mission Design: support trajectory and mission design tasks for GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary concepts.
• Build and Validate Models: develop and validate force models, measurement models, and simulation tools that underpin high-fidelity navigation analysis.
• Collaborate and Communicate: work closely with ATX team members, flight operations teams, and systems engineers; clearly document and present your results in technical memos and design reviews.
• Deliver with Agile Discipline: contribute to sprint planning and delivery in an Agile development environment; use tools such as Jira and git to manage and track your work.

Requirements

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields with 2+ years of relevant experience; OR Ph.D. with no additional experience required
• Foundational knowledge of astrodynamics and orbital mechanics
• Experience or coursework in orbit determination, estimation theory, or navigation
• Experience in at least one of the following: Python, Julia, or C++
• Familiarity with numerical simulation tools or scripted analysis environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
• Preferred Qualifications: Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• Applied experience with orbit determination tools such as Monte, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT.
• Familiarity with GEO, cislunar, or interplanetary mission environments and their associated navigation challenges.
• Experience with radiometric orbit determination (Doppler, ranging) or optical navigation techniques.
• Experience with mission design analysis including trajectory trade studies, delta‑v budgeting, or ConOps development.
• Exposure to spacecraft operations or mission operations environments.
• Experience with DevOps processes including configuration control, continuous integration/deployment, Agile methodologies, and code review.
• Previous experience with software development tooling such as Jira, git, Jenkins, Docker, and at least one IDE.
• Experience using generative AI tools to expedite and automate your workflow.
• Willingness or ability to acquire Active Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with polygraph preferred.