Astrodynamics Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities

Are you an experienced systems integration engineer with a passion for space domain awareness and mission-critical operations? Join a high-performing team protecting national security assets in one of the most technically demanding environments in the aerospace industry.

As a Systems Integration Engineer supporting Flight Safety (FS) systems, you'll sit at the intersection of orbital mechanics, systems architecture, and real-world mission impact - ensuring the tools that protect space assets are integrated, verified, and ready when it matters most.

What You'll Do

You'll own the integration and verification of Flight Safety systems used around the clock to track resident space objects, assess collision risks, and protect national security space missions. Working alongside systems engineers, developers, and operators, you'll drive the seamless incorporation of new capabilities and data sources into both legacy and next-generation architectures - keeping operational risk low and mission readiness high.

Your expertise in orbital mechanics and astrodynamics will directly shape how verification scenarios are built and how system outputs are validated against real mission requirements. You'll also be a go-to technical resource for your team - mentoring junior engineers, leading anomaly resolution, and representing integration at flight safety reviews and operational exercises.

This isn't a background role. You'll have direct ownership of processes, documentation, and outcomes that keep space operations safe and mission-ready 24/7.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end integration and verification of new data sources and capabilities within legacy and next-generation FS architectures, ensuring interface compatibility and data flow integrity
• Independently design, execute, and document integration test plans, regression verification scenarios, and operational acceptance procedures across test and pre-production environments
• Build and maintain Bash and Python scripts for integration verification, data validation, anomaly troubleshooting, and system performance analysis in Linux-based classified environments
• Execute and evaluate conjunction assessment workflows - including RSO-to-RSO and RSO-to-ground proximity analysis (e.g., ASW "SuperCombo"-type runs) - and assess results against mission thresholds
• Conduct pre- and post-launch verification of TLEs, state vectors, and maneuver ephemeris data to confirm collision risk mitigation logic is functioning correctly across all integrated components
• Configure, operate, and validate orbit propagation and analysis tools (e.g., STK or ASW-type systems) for input/output accuracy, interface integrity, and reporting consistency
• Lead root cause analysis and resolution for integration anomalies and interface failures identified during verification and live operations
• Represent the integration team at readiness reviews, flight safety meetings, and operational training events
• Author and maintain integration documentation, verification reports, and training materials; mentor and provide OJT to junior team members
• Partner with engineers, operators, and external stakeholders to ensure all system changes meet operational requirements, interface specifications, and safety thresholds
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This position is contingent upon award of contract

Qualifications

What You Bring

• Minimum of 12 years w/o a degree or 10 years with AS/AA or 8 years with BS/BA; or 6 years with MS/MA; or 4 years with Ph.D.
• Active TS/SCI with adjudicated polygraph - required

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years working with Flight Safety or astrodynamics systems (e.g., STK, ASW SuperCombo), or STK Level 2 certification
• 4+ years in space operations, conjunction assessment, or flight safety systems integration and verification
• Solid grasp of orbital mechanics, conjunction analysis methods, and space domain awareness
• Hands-on experience integrating or verifying systems involving RSO catalogs, ephemeris data, and orbital propagation models
• Proficiency in Bash and Python scripting for integration verification and data analysis
• Background in national security space mission environments (e.g., NRO-related systems and workflows)

 

Work Location: Fort Belvoir

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME