Senior Astrodynamics Engineer Lead - Orbit & HPC Analysis

Saic; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Principal Astrodynamics Engineer to join a mission-driven analysis team supporting multiple satellite programs. You will lead modeling and simulation, orbit analysis, and mission assessments within a government environment with senior decision-makers.

Collaborate with propulsion, radars, optics, AI/ML, cloud computing, GPUs, and more; design maneuvers (RPO), develop Python or C++ tools, and present concise technical briefings to customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related field with 9+ years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience; OR
• PhD in a related field with 4+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex astrodynamics and orbit determination modeling and simulation efforts to support current and future satellite mission concepts.
• Perform independent trade studies and technical assessments, and critically evaluate results provided by external teams.
• Design and analyze orbit maneuvers, including Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), maneuver detection, conjunction assessment, and related mission operations.
• Develop, implement, and refine analysis tools and algorithms using Python or C++ (or quickly transition from another programming language), potentially leveraging high-performance and GPU-based computing environments.
• Collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary engineering team in a mutually supportive environment, incorporating feedback from formal internal and external peer reviews to refine analyses.
• Present clear, actionable technical briefings and recommendations to senior Government customers and program stakeholders, and support additional prime contracts as needed.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Orbital mechanics

Mission analysis

Python

C++

Education

Bachelors in related field

Masters in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

STK

GMAT

FreeFlyer

Orekit

HPC

GPU computing

Cloud computing

Job description

SAIC in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Principal Astrodynamics Engineer to join a mission-driven analysis team supporting multiple satellite programs. You will lead modeling and simulation, orbit analysis, and mission assessments within a government environment with senior decision-makers.

Collaborate with propulsion, radars, optics, AI/ML, cloud computing, GPUs, and more; design maneuvers (RPO), develop Python or C++ tools, and present concise technical briefings to customers.