Senior Satellite Mission & EO/IR Algorithm Lead

Darwin Recruitment; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks a senior spacecraft systems engineer in Los Angeles to lead simulations for large satellite constellations and own the EO/IR image processing chain from photon to Warfighter.

The role includes modeling space payloads for trades and performance predictions, developing algorithms for MW/MT, RPO and SDA, and designing CONOPS/DRM simulations, with cross‑functional collaboration for HIL deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field with 20+ years related experience.
• 9+ years in satellite design and/or operation.
• Experience with EO/IR optical systems analysis and image processing.
• Experience with government image models: ASSET, PRA Toolkit, AFSIM.
• Experience with orbital mechanics and state estimation.
• Experience with satellite space-to-space communications networks.
• Experience with RPO or NMC orbits and maneuver planning.
• Technical leadership: V&V, task delegation, REA, CAM.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain simulations for large satellite constellations to assess effectiveness against mission requirements.
• Own EO/IR image processing chain from photon to Warfighter.
• Create models for space vehicle payloads for system trades and performance predictions.
• Develop novel algorithms, models, and data processing schemes for MW/MT, RPO, SDA.
• Architect CONOPS/DRM and their associated simulations.
• Collaborate with software/firmware teams to develop platforms for simulation deployment (HIL).

Skills

EO/IR image processing

Satellite design

Orbital mechanics

RPO or NMC orbits

Satellite comms networks

Technical leadership

V&V

Cost accounting (CAM)

Requirements management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

20+ years related experience

Tools

ASSET

PRA Toolkit

AFSIM

Job description

Darwin Recruitment seeks a senior spacecraft systems engineer in Los Angeles to lead simulations for large satellite constellations and own the EO/IR image processing chain from photon to Warfighter.

The role includes modeling space payloads for trades and performance predictions, developing algorithms for MW/MT, RPO and SDA, and designing CONOPS/DRM simulations, with cross‑functional collaboration for HIL deployments.