Geodetic Orbit Scientist

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency • Saint Louis, MO

12d

About The Position

Geodetic Orbit Scientists monitor Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), acquire and analyze satellite data, produce and maintain the WGS 84 reference frame, and contribute geodetic products such as GNSS orbits to the Department of War, the Intelligence Community, and civilian partners. They plan, develop, evaluate, and use algorithms and tools for integrity monitoring and for determining ephemerides and other information.

NGA hires individuals for their skills within a specialty and may place them in various positions throughout the agency after they complete the clearance process. The specific position details are provided to applicants who complete clearance before they make a final commitment to join. Work may include data analysis, resource administration, software development, data-flow management, writing and reviewing agreements, and logistics.

The role requires participation in shift work. Periodic evening and weekend work is required; overnight shifts are rare but possible. Employees are expected to adapt to changing requirements and support schedule changes during crisis responses. A recruitment incentive may be available subject to eligibility; candidates receiving it must sign a service agreement requiring prorated repayment if the agreement ends before completion.

This is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service. NGA uses a pay-band system, and base salary is determined by the employee’s qualifications and assigned pay band. The position may be part of NGA’s Career Advancement Program if advertised at Pay Band 2.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), and pass a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination.
• Subject to drug testing and periodic examinations to determine continued eligibility for access to classified information.
• Experience with scientific or statistical analysis.
• Experience working collaboratively on a team to meet project goals and deadlines.
• Experience identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues.
• Experience with computer operating systems, computer networking, coding, and/or database management.
• Experience communicating through written, visual, and/or verbal reports and presentations.
• Meet one of the education/experience pathways: (A) a bachelor’s degree in Geodesy, Mathematics, Physical Science, or a related discipline, including at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours across specified relevant subjects and coursework in differential and integral calculus; or (B) at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours in specified relevant subjects plus related experience in satellite operations, GPS surveying, Geodesy, Geophysics, Wide Area Network analysis, or a related field, with education and experience totaling four years. Coursework is generally counted as one year for each 30 semester (45 quarter) hours.
• Able to distinguish principal colors and have near visual acuity of 20/60 or better, with or without corrective lenses.
• Participate in shift work, including periodic evening and weekend work; overnight shifts may occur. Flexibility for changing requirements and crisis-response schedule changes is expected.
• Comply with applicable NGA employment conditions, including direct deposit, a trial period, and annual SF-714 Security Financial Disclosure Reports for employees with SCI access under NGA cognizance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with satellite characteristics (hardware or software), GNSS, WGS 84, and/or Precise Ephemerides calculations.
• Experience with program integration, execution, and/or resource allocation.
• Experience leading teams and/or projects.
• Experience with one or more of UNIX, UNIX scripting, FORTRAN, C, C++, STK, UML, MATLAB, MATHEMATICA, or Python.
• Educational background or experience in scientific modeling and statistical analysis, particularly with geodetic or geophysical data.

Responsibilities

• Identify and analyze geophysical and geodetic orbit data, determine interrelationships, and recommend actions to maintain program requirements.
• Support continuous monitoring of GNSS systems, including evening and weekend coverage.
• Guide research and analysis by evaluating complex geophysical datasets, identifying data deviations and issues, and recommending courses of action.
• Manage program integration, execution, and resourcing in support of a worldwide network of satellite tracking stations.
• Depending on placement, perform work that may include data analysis, resource administration, software development, data-flow management, writing and reviewing agreements, and logistics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time