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Northrop Grumman

Builds stealth bombers, missiles, and satellites

On-Orbit Test Astrodynamics Engineer

Flight Dynamics & GNCPosted on Nov 10
Full-timeColorado Springs, CO, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in engineering or another STEM-related field and 8 years of experience in a related engineering field such as mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or operations; alternatively, 6 years of experience with a master's degree or 4 years with a PhD.
  • An active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at the time of application.
  • Relevant experience with mission planning and/or orbital analyst responsibilities or processes focused on rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).
  • Familiarity with running physics-based simulations and post-processing results.
  • Experience in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics, including knowledge of fundamental numerical propagators and force models for Earth-orbiting space vehicles, preferably vehicles in geosynchronous orbit.
  • Advanced understanding of relative motion problems and mission planning for RPO missions.
  • Experience with navigation filters and image-processing techniques and algorithms.
  • Knowledge of satellite operations engineering disciplines, including attitude control, power management, thermal control, propulsion, command and data handling, flight and ground software, and anomaly determination and resolution.

Responsibilities

  • Drive and develop On-Orbit Test activities, including mission planning, scenario development, dry-run and rehearsal activities, and test execution.
  • Perform pre-test and execution actions, including mission plan creation and review, safety-of-flight analysis, and vehicle phasing analysis.
  • Integrate with vendors, cognizant engineers, subject-matter experts, orbital analysts, and systems engineers to ensure the overall test plan is realistic, achievable, and meets customer intent.
  • Analyze test feasibility while considering limits, constraints, estimated fuel usage, vehicle capabilities, and overall test-community objectives.
  • Lead on-console operations during On-Orbit Test activities as Test Director.
  • Lead testing using simulators and assist in resolving discrepancies.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience in Python and/or MATLAB; C or C++ experience is preferred.
  • Comprehension of astrodynamics coordinate frames such as ECI and RIC.
  • Background or fundamental understanding of performing statistical analysis.
  • Previous experience supporting mission simulation, scripting, and verification activities.
  • Previous experience with troubleshooting, anomaly resolution, and analysis of operational systems.
  • Familiarity with commercial off-the-shelf astrodynamics analysis tools; FreeFlyer is preferred.
  • Familiarity with guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms for satellites.

About the Company

Northrop Grumman

Builds stealth bombers, missiles, and satellites

Northrop Grumman builds military aircraft, missiles, rocket motors, satellites, and electronic systems, mostly for the American military and allied governments. It designed the B-2 stealth bomber and built NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the largest telescope ever sent to space. The company works through four businesses: aircraft, missiles and ammunition, radar and communications systems, and space hardware such as satellites and solid rocket boosters. Most revenue comes from long-term government contracts, many of them classified. Its roots go back to Northrop Aircraft, founded in 1939, and it took its name after buying Grumman in 1994 and is based in Falls Church, Virginia.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
Founded
1939

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