Orbital Analyst - TS/SCI Clearance (Space/Satellite Systems)

$97,000 - $136,000/Yr

Northrop Grumman - Colorado Springs, CO

Full-time - Mid Level

Colorado Springs, CO

10,001+ employees

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Orbital Analyst position at Northrop Grumman involves supporting on-orbit rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) through planning, execution, and debrief phases. The role requires expertise in space operations, spacecraft health monitoring, anomaly troubleshooting, and the development of operational procedures. The analyst will work in a dynamic team environment, providing 24/7 on-call support for RPO missions and ensuring the successful execution of system maintenance tasks. This position can be filled at either the Principal or Senior Principal level, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Supports on-orbit RPO operations through planning, execution, and debrief phases
• Provides Space Operations expertise to ensure spacecraft/payload and ground system health, status, anomaly troubleshooting, and resolution
• Creates initial and post maneuver orbit determination
• Executes Kalman Filter monitoring/analysis and manipulation
• Development and improvement of operations procedures or processes
• Development and improvement of operational scripts, including unit testing and system testing
• Investigation and diagnosis of unexpected system signatures
• Supporting the coordination and execution of system maintenance tasks and coordinating across multiple contractor organizations
• Perform demonstrations and conduct briefings explaining how to utilize mission systems to accomplish task-based objectives
• Performing quantitative risk analysis
• Develops RPO Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
• Performs Space Domain Awareness (SDA) planning and analysis
• Providing 24x7 on-call support for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) missions and the resolution of system issues and anomalies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Physics or Engineering or related STEM field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience (level 3) or minimum of 9 years' experience (level 4) in a related engineering field such as mechanical, electrical, aerospace and/or operations
• U.S. citizen
• Active or current DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance at time of application
• Strong technical background in orbital mechanics/astrodynamics
• Knowledge and experience in satellite operations engineering disciplines to include attitude control, power management, thermal control, propulsion, command and data handling, flight and ground software, and anomaly determination and resolution
• Ability to conduct a range of modeling, simulation and analysis in orbital maneuvers, orbit estimation
• Expertise in the following technical disciplines: orbital propagation and perturbations, orbit estimation, orbital maneuvers, modeling and simulation and analysis
• Familiar with a variety of astrodynamics tools (FreeFlyer, System Tool Kit (STK), NASA General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), Orbit Determination Toolbox (ODTBX))
• Experience with developing and presenting briefing slides to senior leaders and executive level personnel
• Ability to work odd and/or extended hours covering a 24/7 period and periodic rotating shifts
• Ability to troubleshoot and correct problems in a dynamic environment
• Ability and willingness to work shifts.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to develop and maintain operational procedures, products, and training materials
• Previous experience with troubleshooting, anomaly resolution and performing analysis on operational systems
• Support mission simulation, scripting, and verification activities
• Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: MATLAB, Python, SIMULINK, Fortran, Java, C/C++
• Extensive comprehension of different astrodynamics coordinate frames such as ECI and RIC
• Experience with optimization techniques and their application to trajectory optimization and/or multi-objective optimization
• Prior aerospace-related work experience for a U.S Government Agency or Contractor
• Background/fundamental understanding of performing statistical analysis
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business