Principal Orbit Operation Analyst

Saic; California (MO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Space Systems Engineer / Orbital Analyst to support Space Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA. The role focuses on space protection, orbital analysis, SDA, and satellite conjunction assessment, with collaboration across multiple centers.

Responsibilities include mission protection, defense space control, policy coordination, and data interpretation. Requires highly skilled engineering and strong communication; typical hours with possible outside times in non-routine

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3-9 years of experience or military space experience.
• Active TS/SCI w/ Poly.
• Experience involving Space Situational Awareness, satellite catalog maintenance, orbital analysis, and conjunction assessment.

Responsibilities

• Execute mission protection aspects of the space object catalog as part of the evolving SDA mission.
• Provide defense space control, intelligence analysis, and engineering support to national security space programs.
• Review and prepare responses for applicable government policies and procedures; collaborate with space operations centers.
• Demonstrate knowledge of orbital mechanics and astrodynamics.
• Interpret and discuss US space policy with multiple USG agencies; coordinate findings across teams.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Astrodynamics

Data analysis

Space Domain Awareness

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ASW software

Atlas

Red Hat Linux

MS Office

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking candidates for a Space Systems Engineer / Orbital Analyst who will directly support the 18th Space Defense Squadron and the U.S. Space Forces for Space field command located at Vandenberg Space Force, CA, Base in space protection, orbital analysis, data analysis, space defense, and satellite conjunction assessment. The engineer provides expertise in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), solving various operational orbital mechanics problems and processes data for orbit states and predictions. The position would be responsible for coordination and integration of relevant information and findings across multiple functional areas to develop and deliver products enabling customers’ situational awareness and decisions. While this position will accomplish most tasks Monday through Friday, normal day hours, due to the non-routine operations environment, work may be required outside those times.

Job Description:

• Execute mission protection aspects of the space object catalog required as part of the evolving SDA mission.
• Execute operational functions to include space flight safety, defensive space control, intelligence analysis, and operational, technical and engineering support to national security space programs.
• Review and prepare responses for applicable government policies, plans, procedures and technical documentation, as well as collaborate with other space operations centers and space acquisition offices.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics and astrodynamics.
• Ability to interpret, draft, discuss, and implement US government-wide space policy with members from various USG agencies in a collaborative environment.
• Understanding of space object tracking sensors, networks, and data, including capabilities and limitations.
• Familiarity with Linux-based OS, Particularly Red Hat Linux.
• Familiarity with Space Force’s Astrodynamics Support Workstation (ASW) software, Atlas or similar tools.
• Ability to apply knowledge of orbital mechanics and astrodynamics to operations, including orbit determination and maintenance, general and special perturbation-based data and formats, orbit decay, and orbital maneuvers for station keeping and change of station.
• Ability to apply orbital mechanics to real world problems. General understanding of methods of orbit determination and prediction, and use of orbital state data.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills and be proficient in MS Office (Access, Excel, Word, & PowerPoint).

Qualifications

Bachelors degree with 3 -9 years of experience; or military experience working in an operational space unit.

Active TS/SCI w/Poly.

• Experience involving Space Situational Awareness, satellite catalog maintenance, orbital analysis, and conjunction assessment. Real-time analysis and solutions to technical and operational problems are required for this position.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.