Principal Orbit Operation Analyst

SAIC; Vandenberg Village (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Space Systems Engineer / Orbital Analyst to support the 18th Space Defense Squadron at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA. The role focuses on SDA, orbital analysis, data processing for orbit states, and space defense, coordinating across multiple teams to deliver situational awareness products.

Responsibilities include mission protection, space safety, policy reviews, and applying orbital mechanics to real-world problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or military experience in an operational space unit.
• Active TS/SCI w/Poly clearance required.
• Experience with Space Situational Awareness and orbital analysis.

Responsibilities

• Execute mission protection aspects of the space object catalog for SDA.
• Provide defense space operations support and policy/documentation reviews.
• Coordinate information across space operations centers and acquisition offices.
• Apply knowledge of orbital mechanics to operations and orbit determination.

Skills

Space Situational Awareness

Orbital Analysis

Conjunction Assessment

Orbit Mechanics

Orbit Determination

Linux/Red Hat

ASW Software

Atlas/Similar Tools

MS Office

Strong Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

TS/SCI w/Poly

Tools

Red Hat Linux

ASW

Atlas

Job description

Job ID 2616815

Location Vandenberg SFB, CA, US
Date Posted 2026-09-15
Category Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory Specialty Engr
Schedule Full-Time
Shift Evening Job
Travel No
Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain None
Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

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.