Space Systems Modeling and Analysis Engineer

Amazon; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

KGS LLC in California is seeking a Space Systems Modeling and Analysis Engineer to develop high-fidelity models of multi-orbit constellations for SATCOM, NAVWAR, SBST, and MWT missions. Build fast, parallelizable simulations across LEO, MEO, and GEO, modeling crosslinks, ground segments, and sensor performance.

You will perform constellation-level availability analyses, support trade studies, Alt-PNT timing, and network topology exploration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline.
• 3+ years of experience developing physics-based models and simulations of space systems.
• Experience with multiple orbital regimes (LEO, MEO, GEO).
• Ability to obtain/maintain a US security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and maintain high-fidelity models of multi-orbit constellations (pLEO, MEO, GEO).
• Design and execute large-scale parallelizable simulations to evaluate performance, coverage, and resilience under nominal and degraded conditions.
• Perform trade studies and sensitivity analyses on constellation design parameters, sensor geometries, and network topologies.
• Model ground segment architectures including radar systems, ground entry points, and ground-based command and control infrastructure.
• Model space-based threats including maneuverable satellites, counter-space systems, and electromagnetic warfare effects on space architectures.
• Model Alt-PNT frameworks including timing budget analysis and navigation warfare scenarios.
• Analyze Space Data Network (SDN) architectures including space-to-space crosslinks, exchange points, and network service orchestration.
• Develop sensor performance models for multi-phenomenology detection (infrared, radar) across missile warning and moving target indication missions.
• Support architecture decisions by quantifying system resilience, capacity, and performance under adversarial conditions.
• Produce technical documentation, trade study reports, and briefings for engineering and program leadership.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, mission architects, and government stakeholders to translate operational requirements into simulation parameters.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Space systems modeling

Physics-based modeling

Parallel computing experience

Security clearance eligible

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Description

We are seeking a Space Systems Modeling and Analysis Engineer to develop and deploy high-fidelity computational models of multi-orbit space architectures supporting satellite communications (SATCOM), navigation warfare (NAVWAR), space-based sensing and targeting (SBST), and missile warning and tracking (MWT) missions. In this role, you will build fast, parallelizable simulations of proliferated constellations across LEO, MEO, and GEO. You will model space-to-space crosslinks, space-based RF and EO/IR sensors, as well as ground segment architectures. You will perform constellation-level operational availability analysis that goes beyond link coverage to account for real-world operational impacts such as downtime due to routine on-orbit maintenance, ground gateway availability, and disturbances from both ground- and space-based threats. You will support trade studies on constellation design, link budgets, timing architectures for alternative positioning/navigation/timing (Alt-PNT) frameworks, and sensor coverage geometries. Your work will directly inform architecture decisions that ensure resilient space systems in contested and degraded environments.

Description

We are seeking a Space Systems Modeling and Analysis Engineer to develop and deploy high-fidelity computational models of multi-orbit space architectures supporting satellite communications (SATCOM), navigation warfare (NAVWAR), space-based sensing and targeting (SBST), and missile warning and tracking (MWT) missions. In this role, you will build fast, parallelizable simulations of proliferated constellations across LEO, MEO, and GEO. You will model space-to-space crosslinks, space-based RF and EO/IR sensors, as well as ground segment architectures. You will perform constellation-level operational availability analysis that goes beyond link coverage to account for real-world operational impacts such as downtime due to routine on-orbit maintenance, ground gateway availability, and disturbances from both ground- and space-based threats. You will support trade studies on constellation design, link budgets, timing architectures for alternative positioning/navigation/timing (Alt-PNT) frameworks, and sensor coverage geometries. Your work will directly inform architecture decisions that ensure resilient space systems in contested and degraded environments.

Key job responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and maintain high-fidelity models of multi-orbit constellations (pLEO, MEO, GEO) for SATCOM, NAVWAR, SBST, and MWT mission areas
• Design and execute large-scale, parallelizable simulations to evaluate constellation performance, coverage, and resilience under nominal and degraded conditions
• Perform trade studies and sensitivity analyses on constellation design parameters, sensor geometries, and network topologies
• Model ground segment architectures including radar systems, ground entry points, and ground-based command and control infrastructure
• Model space-based threats including maneuverable satellites, counter-space systems, and electromagnetic warfare effects on space architectures
• Model Alt-PNT frameworks including timing budget analysis and navigation warfare scenarios
• Analyze Space Data Network (SDN) architectures including space-to-space crosslinks, exchange points, and network service orchestration
• Develop sensor performance models for multi-phenomenology detection (infrared, radar) across missile warning and moving target indication missions
• Support architecture decisions by quantifying system resilience, capacity, and performance under adversarial conditions
• Produce technical documentation, trade study reports, and briefings for engineering and program leadership
• Collaborate with systems engineers, mission architects, and government stakeholders to translate operational requirements into simulation parameters

Export Control : This position requires that the candidate selected be a U.S. Citizen in order to comply with U.S. government-imposed requirements related to the nature of the work and/or where it will be performed.

This position requires that the candidate selected be a US Citizen and candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance of TS/SCI.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline
• 3+ years of experience developing physics-based models and simulations of space systems (orbital mechanics, constellation design, RF link analysis, or sensor coverage)
• Experience modeling systems across multiple orbital regimes (LEO, MEO, GEO)
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or C++ for numerical modeling and data analysis
• Demonstrated experience with parallelizable or high-performance computing approaches for large-scale simulations
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Applied Physics, or related field
• Familiarity with SATCOM network modeling, including link budgets, spectrum management, and mesh network topologies
• Familiarity with resilient constellation design principles including proliferated architectures, self-healing networks, and degradation analysis
• Knowledge of space domain awareness, conjunction assessment and mitigation
• Experience with Alt-PNT framework modeling and timing budget analysis
• Experience with ground-based and space-based threat characterization (counter-space systems, maneuverable satellites)
• Experience modeling missile warning/tracking sensor architectures, including multi-phenomenology detection and infrared sensor performance
• Experience with moving target indication (MTI) or kill-chain closure modeling
• Proficiency with simulation frameworks such as STK, GMAT, or custom Monte Carlo engines
• Experience with parallel computing libraries

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants:

Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, El Segundo - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

USA, CA, NORTHRIDGE - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

Company

KGS LLC