Systems Simulation Engineer (Constellation Modeling & System Simulation)

Elveo•Chantilly, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Elveo Mobile is building a global direct-to-device satellite constellation and is seeking a Systems Simulation Engineer to join the team responsible for its core constellation simulation tool. This tool models orbital dynamics, link performance, and system-level behavior for the satellite network and will form the foundation for the operational System Resource Manager. The role involves working with subject-matter experts to learn and extend the codebase, with the expectation of growing into a primary ownership role as the program expands. This position is at the intersection of software engineering and aerospace systems engineering.

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 (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.

Nice To Haves

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 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.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the maintenance and extension of the constellation system simulation tool (Python/Rust hybrid architecture), ensuring it remains a reliable source of truth for mission and systems engineering decisions.
Assume primary ownership of the simulation tool over time as expertise grows and its capabilities are expanded to support the evolving constellation program.
Implement and validate orbital mechanics models, including Walker Delta constellation geometry, J2 perturbation effects, RAAN drift, and propagation, cross-checking against tools like 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, utilizing Python for front-ends, bindings, analysis, and integration workflows.
Support architecture trade studies (constellation configuration, coverage, capacity) by extending simulation capabilities to address new engineering questions.
Build tooling and interfaces (APIs, CLI, or lightweight UI) to enable other engineers (RF, ADCS, mission ops) to run and interpret simulations independently.
Document code, data models, and assumptions to build institutional knowledge and support long-term codebase ownership.
Contribute to system architecture and systems engineering activities beyond the simulation tool, including trade studies, requirements analysis, and technical decision-making for the constellation program.
Participate in the development of the system resource manager, with responsibilities for 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 real system requirements into simulation features.
Optimize simulation performance and scalability as constellation size and complexity increase.