True Anomaly
Orbital Dynamics Engineer (II-Staff)
2w ago
USALeadorbital mechanicsastrodynamicssimulationmaneuver planningmission analysis
Design and optimize orbital maintenance strategies, perform mission analysis, develop maneuver plans, and lead mission design reviews for space superiority applications.
Responsibilities
- Design and optimize orbital maintenance strategies for large satellite constellations, including station-keeping, collision avoidance, and end-of-life disposal planning
- Perform comprehensive pre-launch mission analysis including constellation design, launch window analysis, orbit determination accuracy assessments
- Develop and validate rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) maneuver plans for spacecraft inspection, servicing, and close-approach scenarios
- Build and maintain high-fidelity astrodynamics simulation environments incorporating perturbation models, thrust profiles, and operational constraints
- Lead mission design reviews and provide technical guidance to operations teams during critical mission phases
- Develop automated tools and workflows for constellation management and maneuver planning at scale
- Interface with external partners, launch providers, and government agencies on mission coordination and orbital safety
Requirements
- 5+ years of professional experience in astrodynamics, flight dynamics, or spacecraft operations
- Deep understanding of orbital mechanics, including perturbation theory, trajectory optimization, and numerical integration methods
- Strong programming skills in Python, C++, TypeScript or similar languages for mission analysis tools
- Experience with orbit determination techniques and filter implementation (EKF, UKF, BLS)
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects from concept through operational implementation
- Work Location —This is an fully onsite role. Candidates must be based in or able to commute to our Denver or Long Beach office daily.
- Work environment —the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
- Physical demands —the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.
- This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.#LI-Onsite
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
- True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.
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Nice to have
- Direct experience with constellation operations management involving 10+ spacecrafts
- Hands-on experience planning or executing proximity operations, including station-keeping within formations
- Familiarity with space surveillance data sources (JSpOC/18 SPCS, commercial SSA providers) and conjunction assessment processes
- Experience with high-performance computing and parallelization for large-scale astrodynamics calculations
- Skilled at developing heuristics and approximation strategies to keep astrodynamics solvers tractable at operational timescales
- Knowledge of space situational awareness (SSA) and space domain awareness (SDA) mission concepts
- Active security clearance or ability to obtain one
- Publications or conference presentations in orbital mechanics or mission design
Conditions
- Base Salary: $85,000 - $260,000
- Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave
- Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.
Other
- Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.
- OUR MISSION
- True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.
- OUR VALUES
- Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
- What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
- It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.
- YOUR MISSION
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