Orbital Dynamics Architect for Space Surveillance

Neara; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity package

Benefits

Job summary

Digantara U.S. seeks an experienced Astrodynamics Engineer to lead orbital mechanics across SDA programs.

You will generate synthetic datasets for ML training, validate data generators, and ensure rigorous review of model outputs, acting as the primary technical interface with research partners. The role covers cislunar and multi-body dynamics, LEO/GEO orbit determination, and close collaboration with researchers to define interfaces, validation cases, and ownership boundaries from project

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related field; 3+ years of relevant experience (PhD may substitute).
• Experience with orbit determination across batch LSQ and sequential/Kalman estimators with covariance and observability handling.
• Strong Python skills; proficient in C/C++, MATLAB, or Julia for propagator and estimator development.
• Familiarity with astrodynamics across LEO/GEO and multi-body dynamics (CR3BP, libration-point dynamics).
• Experience with sparse-observation and short-arc problems and initial orbit determination.

Responsibilities

• Build and validate dynamical modeling environments across mission regimes, from two-body to multi-body cislunar dynamics.
• Generate synthetic observation datasets with realistic sensing geometry, noise, track gaps, and degraded-observation scenarios for ML training and evaluation.
• Incorporate public ephemerides and reference datasets as independent validation cases for synthetic data generators.
• Implement and characterize orbit-estimation chains with covariance handling and observability assessment.
• Characterize estimator convergence, observability limits, and custody feasibility; document results.
• Define anomalous dynamical behavior to support detection and classification logic.
• Collaborate with data science and software staff to ensure datasets are dynamics-relevant and model results align with physical expectations.
• Provide physics-derived inputs to CONOPS and systems engineering activities regarding latency and timing constraints.
• Serve as primary technical contact for research institution partners.

Skills

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

Julia

Orbit determination

Astrodynamics

Optical modeling

Education

MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Applied Mathematics

Job description

Digantara U.S. seeks an experienced Astrodynamics Engineer to lead orbital mechanics across SDA programs.

You will generate synthetic datasets for ML training, validate data generators, and ensure rigorous review of model outputs, acting as the primary technical interface with research partners. The role covers cislunar and multi-body dynamics, LEO/GEO orbit determination, and close collaboration with researchers to define interfaces, validation cases, and ownership boundaries from project