Orbital Dynamics Engineer (II-Staff)

Trueanomalyinc; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

Trueanomalyinc in California is seeking a skilled professional to design and optimize orbital maintenance strategies for satellite constellations. This role involves comprehensive mission analysis, high-fidelity simulations, and technical guidance during mission phases.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in astrodynamics and flight dynamics with strong programming skills in Python, C++, or TypeScript. Candidates must be able to work onsite in California.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in astrodynamics, flight dynamics, or spacecraft operations.
• Deep understanding of orbital mechanics including trajectory optimization.
• Strong programming skills for mission analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Design orbital maintenance strategies for satellite constellations.
• Perform pre-launch mission analysis and orbit determination.
• Lead mission design reviews and guide operations teams.

Skills

Astrodynamics expertise

Programming in Python

Experience with orbit determination techniques

Tools

Python

C++

TypeScript

Job description

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and optimize orbital maintenance strategies for large satellite constellations, including station‑keeping, collision avoidance, and end‑of‑life disposal planning.
• Perform comprehensive pre‑launch mission analysis including constellation design, launch window analysis, orbit determination accuracy assessments.
• Develop and validate rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) maneuver plans for spacecraft inspection, servicing, and close‑approach scenarios.
• Build and maintain high‑fidelity astrodynamics simulation environments incorporating perturbation models, thrust profiles, and operational constraints.
• Lead mission design reviews and provide technical guidance to operations teams during critical mission phases.
• Develop automated tools and workflows for constellation management and maneuver planning at scale.
• Interface with external partners, launch providers, and government agencies on mission coordination and orbital safety.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of professional experience in astrodynamics, flight dynamics, or spacecraft operations.
• Deep understanding of orbital mechanics, including perturbation theory, trajectory optimization, and numerical integration methods.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, TypeScript or similar languages for mission analysis tools.
• Experience with orbit determination techniques and filter implementation (EKF, UKF, BLS).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects from concept through operational implementation.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Direct experience with constellation operations management involving 10+ spacecrafts.
• Hands‑on experience planning or executing proximity operations, including station‑keeping within formations.
• Familiarity with space surveillance data sources (JSpOC/18 SPCS, commercial SSA providers) and conjunction assessment processes.
• Experience with high‑performance computing and parallelization for large‑scale astrodynamics calculations.
• Skilled at developing heuristics and approximation strategies to keep astrodynamics solvers tractable at operational timescales.
• Knowledge of space situational awareness (SSA) and space domain awareness (SDA) mission concepts.
• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
• Publications or conference presentations in orbital mechanics or mission design.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $85,000 - $260,000
• Equity + Benefits: including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location: This is a fully onsite role. Candidates must be based in or able to commute to our Denver or Long Beach office daily.
• Work environment: The work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands: The physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.