Systems Simulation Engineer (Constellation Modeling & System Simulation)

Elveo•Chantilly, VA

15h

About The Position

Elveo Mobile is building a global direct-to-device satellite constellation and is hiring a Systems Simulation Engineer to help maintain and expand its core constellation simulation tool. The tool models orbital dynamics, link performance, and system-level behavior, and will also provide the foundation for the operational System Resource Manager. The role combines software engineering and aerospace systems engineering, working with subject-matter experts to learn the codebase and gradually take on primary ownership as the constellation program and tool capabilities grow. The engineer will extend a Python/Rust simulation architecture, implement and validate orbital mechanics and RF link models, and support constellation configuration, coverage, and capacity trade studies. The role also includes building tools and interfaces for other engineering teams, documenting code and assumptions, contributing to broader systems engineering and architecture activities, and helping develop the System Resource Manager for satellite resource allocation and capacity planning. The position is based in Chantilly, Virginia.

Requirements

2–5 years of professional software engineering experience.
Strong proficiency in Python and Rust.
Demonstrated experience building or maintaining simulation, modeling, or numerical computing tools, such as scientific computing tools or physics engines.
Working knowledge of orbital mechanics, including Keplerian elements, J2 perturbation effects, constellation geometry such as Walker Delta, and propagation methods.
Familiarity with satellite systems fundamentals, including link budgets, antenna gain or beamforming basics, SINR/EIRP, and RF link performance drivers.
Experience with Rust performance profiling and optimization, including memory management, concurrency, and FFI/Python bindings such as PyO3 or similar.
Strong software engineering fundamentals, including 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.
Must meet applicable ITAR eligibility criteria: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain the necessary U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Maintain and extend the Python/Rust constellation system simulation tool as a reliable source of truth for mission and systems engineering decisions.
Build depth in the codebase and progressively assume primary ownership of the tool as its capabilities expand.
Implement and validate orbital mechanics models, including Walker Delta constellation geometry, J2 perturbation effects, RAAN drift, and propagation; cross-check against STK/HPOP where applicable.
Model and validate RF link budgets, antenna gain patterns, SINR/EIRP calculations, and satellite payload beam/cell assignment logic.
Design and implement performance-critical simulation components in Rust, with Python front-ends or bindings for analysis and integration workflows.
Extend simulation capabilities to support architecture trade studies involving constellation configuration, coverage, and capacity.
Build APIs, command-line interfaces, or lightweight user interfaces that enable RF, ADCS, and mission operations engineers to run and interpret simulations without modifying core code.
Document code, data models, and assumptions, and build institutional knowledge to support long-term codebase ownership.
Support system architecture and systems engineering activities, including trade studies, requirements analysis, and technical decision-making.
Contribute to the System Resource Manager, modeling and managing satellite power allocation, frequency assignment, Earth Fixed Cell (EFC) laydown, EFC-to-satellite assignment, and capacity planning.
Collaborate with mission engineering, RF/payload, and launch teams to translate system requirements into simulation features.
Optimize simulation performance and scalability as constellation size and complexity grow.