Systems Simulation Engineer (Constellation Modeling & System Simulation)

Elveo; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Elveo is seeking a Systems Simulation Engineer to join our global D2D satellite constellation program in Chantilly, VA. You will contribute to a Python/Rust hybrid tool that models orbital dynamics, link performance, and system behavior, forming the foundation for mission engineering decisions.

You’ll grow into ownership of the tool, implement orbital models, validate RF budgets and beam patterns, and build APIs or lightweight UIs for engineers across RF, ADCS, and mission operations.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of professional software engineering experience in Python and Rust.
• Experience building or maintaining simulation, modeling, or numerical computing tools.
• Solid working knowledge of orbital mechanics — Keplerian elements, perturbation effects (J2), constellation geometry (Walker Delta), and propagation methods.
• Familiarity with satellite systems fundamentals: link budgets, antenna gain/beamforming basics, SINR/EIRP, and RF link performance drivers.
• Experience with performance profiling and optimization in Rust (memory management, concurrency, FFI/Python bindings via PyO3 or similar).
• Strong software engineering fundamentals: version control, testing, CI/CD, and writing maintainable, well‑documented code.
• Ability to ramp quickly on a complex, evolving codebase and take on increasing ownership over time.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and extend the constellation system simulation tool (Python/Rust hybrid architecture), working alongside the current team to keep it a reliable source of truth for mission and systems engineering decisions
• Grow into a primary ownership role over time as you build depth on the codebase and the tool's capabilities are expanded to support an evolving constellation program
• Implement and validate orbital mechanics models (Walker Delta constellation geometry, J2 perturbation effects, RAAN drift, propagation) and cross‑check against STK/HPOP where applicable
• Model and validate RF link budgets, antenna gain patterns, SINR/EIRP calculations, and beam/cell assignment logic for the satellite payload
• Design and implement performance‑critical simulation components in Rust, with Python front‑ends/bindings for analysis and integration workflows
• Support architecture trade studies (constellation configuration, coverage, capacity) by extending simulation capability to answer new engineering questions on demand
• Build tooling and interfaces (APIs, CLI, or lightweight UI) that let other engineers — RF, ADCS, mission ops — run and interpret simulations without needing to touch the core codebase
• Help document code, data models, and assumptions as you learn the tool, building institutional knowledge that supports the team's long‑term ownership of the codebase
• Contribute to system architecture and systems engineering activities beyond the simulation tool itself — supporting trade studies, requirements analysis, and technical decision‑making for the constellation program
• Participate in the development of the system resource manager, with responsibility for modeling and managing satellite power allocation, frequency assignment, Earth Fixed Cell (EFC) laydown, EFC‑to‑satellite assignment, and capacity planning
• Collaborate directly with mission engineering, RF/payload, and launch teams to translate real system requirements into simulation features
• Optimize for performance and scalability as constellation size and simulation complexity grow

Skills

Python

Rust

Orbital mechanics

Simulation tools

Version control

Testing/CI/CD

Concurrency/FFI

Documentation

Tools

STK

PyO3

Git

Job description

About Elveo

Elveo is what happens when two pioneers in direct-to-device (D2D) communications join forces. Elveo brings together a combined 20 years of expertise to close the coverage gap for more than 50 mobile network operators (MNOs) and major distribution partners operating in 60+ countries worldwide.

That heritage and our technology powers what we call ‘elevated intelligence’ — a new approach that processes and adapts on orbit, delivering voice and data services straight to mobile users, IoT devices and machines across enterprise, government and humanitarian sectors worldwide.

As a team, we’re on a mission to deliver powerful compute and connectivity directly to individuals and objects everywhere on Earth.

Join us, and become part of a globally inclusive company that is transforming satellite communications from a niche service to an essential global infrastructure, and democratizing connectivity for billions worldwide.

Ready to take the next step? Join us.

About the Role

Elveo Mobile is building a global direct-to-device satellite constellation. We're looking for a Systems Simulation Engineer to join the team responsible for our core constellation simulation tool — the software that models orbital dynamics, link performance, and system-level behavior for our satellite network. The tool will also form the foundation for the operational System Resource Manager. You'll work alongside the current subject‑matter experts to learn and extend the codebase, with the expectation that you'll grow into a primary role as the tool's capabilities expand alongside the constellation program.

This is not a pure software role or a pure aerospace system engineering role — it sits at the intersection.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to the maintenance and extension of the constellation system simulation tool (Python/Rust hybrid architecture), working alongside the current team to keep it a reliable source of truth for mission and systems engineering decisions
• Grow into a primary ownership role over time as you build depth on the codebase and the tool's capabilities are expanded to support an evolving constellation program
• Implement and validate orbital mechanics models (Walker Delta constellation geometry, J2 perturbation effects, RAAN drift, propagation) and cross‑check against STK/HPOP where applicable
• Model and validate RF link budgets, antenna gain patterns, SINR/EIRP calculations, and beam/cell assignment logic for the satellite payload
• Design and implement performance‑critical simulation components in Rust, with Python front‑ends/bindings for analysis and integration workflows
• Support architecture trade studies (constellation configuration, coverage, capacity) by extending simulation capability to answer new engineering questions on demand
• Build tooling and interfaces (APIs, CLI, or lightweight UI) that let other engineers — RF, ADCS, mission ops — run and interpret simulations without needing to touch the core codebase
• Help document code, data models, and assumptions as you learn the tool, building institutional knowledge that supports the team's long‑term ownership of the codebase
• Contribute to system architecture and systems engineering activities beyond the simulation tool itself — supporting trade studies, requirements analysis, and technical decision‑making for the constellation program
• Participate in the development of the system resource manager, with responsibility for modeling and managing satellite power allocation, frequency assignment, Earth Fixed Cell (EFC) laydown, EFC‑to‑satellite assignment, and capacity planning
• Collaborate directly with mission engineering, RF/payload, and launch teams to translate real system requirements into simulation features
• Optimize for performance and scalability as constellation size and simulation complexity grow

Required Qualifications

• 2-5 years of professional software engineering experience, with strong proficiency in Python and Rust
• Demonstrated experience building or maintaining simulation, modeling, or numerical computing tools (scientific computing, physics engines, or similar)
• Solid working knowledge of orbital mechanics — Keplerian elements, perturbation effects (J2), constellation geometry (Walker Delta or similar), and propagation methods
• Familiarity with satellite systems fundamentals: link budgets, antenna gain/beamforming basics, SINR/EIRP, and RF link performance drivers
• Experience with performance profiling and optimization in Rust (memory management, concurrency, FFI/Python bindings via PyO3 or similar)
• Strong software engineering fundamentals: version control, testing, CI/CD, and writing maintainable, well‑documented code
• Ability to ramp quickly on a complex, evolving codebase and take on increasing ownership over time

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with STK or other orbital simulation/propagation tools
• Knowledge of satellite communications systems (NTN, LTE/5G, TT&C/ground antenna systems, beam hopping, Earth Fixed Cell assignment, or similar)
• Experience with graph‑based or ML‑driven optimization approaches (e.g., auction‑based resource allocation, ...) applied to satellite resource management, spectrum/frequency assignment, or beam/cell assignment problems
• Exposure to constellation deployment planning or mission operations
• Experience working in a small/fast‑moving space program environment

ITAR Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government export control regulations (ITAR), applicants must be one of the following: (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158. Individuals who do not meet these criteria must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Learn about ITAR here: https://www.pmddtc.state.gov

Job Location

Chantilly, VA