Senior Navigation Engineer

IDR, Inc.; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Full benefits

Industry leading organization

Job summary

IDR, Inc. seeks a Senior Navigation Engineer in Westminster, CO to lead spacecraft navigation across mission phases. You will develop and validate Kalman filters, handle estimation approaches, and support real-time operations while collaborating with mission engineering teams.

The role requires 8–12 years in navigation, a related engineering degree, and demonstrated leadership of navigation campaigns. Experience with MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT, and STK is highly valued.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of professional experience in spacecraft navigation or related flight dynamics roles.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or Systems Engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership of navigation campaigns or major tasks.
• Proven ability to design Kalman filters for multiple regimes and tracking strategies.
• Significant experience with navigation/astrodynamics tools in flight or flight-like applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead spacecraft navigation for all mission phases, including formulation and tracking architecture development.

Skills

Leadership

Spacecraft navigation

Kalman filter development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MONTE

FreeFlyer

ODTK

GMAT

STK

Job description

IDR is seeking aSenior Navigation Engineerto join one of our top clients foran opportunity in Westminster, CO. This role supports spaceflight missions across all phases of spacecraft navigation, from estimation and tracking architecture development to flight operations readiness and real-time performance support. You will help advance state estimation capabilities through sophisticated Kalman filter development and validation while partnering with teams across mission engineering and verification activities.

Position Overview for the Senior Navigation Engineer

• Lead spacecraft navigation for all mission phases, including formulation, tracking architecture development, estimation approach, and operations.
• Develop and validate advanced Kalman filter configurations for complex regimes, such as multi-body, low-thrust, and weak observability scenarios.
• Serve as primary navigation lead for flight operations prep, including console support, real-time orbit determination, and anomaly response.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive mission-critical navigation analysis, system-level trades, and verification/validation activities.

Requirements for the Senior Navigation Engineer

• 8–12 years of professional experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or closely related flight dynamics roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Demonstrated leadership of OD campaigns or major navigation tasks, including filter setup, force models, and tracking strategies.
• Proven ability to design and adapt Kalman filters for new dynamical and tracking regimes, including dynamic, bias, stochastic, and consider parameters.
• Significant experience with navigation/astrodynamics tools (e.g., MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT, STK) in flight or flight-like applications.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive compensation package
• Full Benefits; Medical, Vision, Dental, and more!
• Opportunity to get in with an industry leading organization.

Why IDR?

• 25+ Years of Proven Industry Experience in 4 major markets
• Employee Stock Ownership Program
• Dedicated Engagement Manager who is committed to you and your success.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® Client and Talent Award winner 12 years in a row.