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Astrodynamics Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Are you a Software Developer with a passion for astrodynamics looking to apply your skills to cutting-edge space mission software? NS2 Mission is seeking an excellent Software Developer candidate to ...

Are you a Software Developer with a passion for astrodynamics looking to apply your skills to cutting-edge space mission software? NS2 Mission is seeking an excellent Software Developer candidate to ...

Showing results 21-40

Astrodynamics Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$44.2K

$115.2K

$155.7K

How much do astrodynamics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for astrodynamics engineer in Washington is $115,244.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,100.00 and $131,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an astrodynamics engineer do?

An Astrodynamics Engineer designs, analyzes, and optimizes the trajectories of spacecraft, satellites, and other space vehicles. They use mathematical models, physics, and computational simulations to plan orbital maneuvers, ensure mission feasibility, and minimize fuel consumption. Their work is crucial for space missions, including satellite deployment, interplanetary exploration, and station-keeping operations.

What are some typical projects or responsibilities for an astrodynamics engineer?

Astrodynamics Engineers are often tasked with calculating and optimizing spacecraft trajectories, predicting orbital maneuvers, and supporting mission planning for satellites and space probes. You may also analyze mission data, model the effects of various gravitational forces, and develop software tools for simulation and analysis. Collaborative work with mission designers, spacecraft engineers, and operations teams is common to ensure mission objectives are met. The role can include both hands-on technical tasks and participation in interdisciplinary project meetings, offering opportunities to see your work directly impact real-world space missions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the astrodynamics engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Astrodynamics Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, a solid foundation in physics and mathematics, and typically a degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Experience with orbital mechanics simulation software, MATLAB, STK (Systems Tool Kit), or similar specialized tools is highly valued, and some positions may require security clearance or relevant certifications. Effective problem-solving, teamwork, and strong communication abilities are important soft skills for collaborating on complex projects. These competencies ensure precision in trajectory design, mission planning, and contribute to the overall success of aerospace missions.

What are popular job titles related to Astrodynamics Engineer jobs in Washington?

For Astrodynamics Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Astrodynamics Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Astrodynamics Engineer jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various Astrodynamics Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $115,244 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer (AI/ML)

SAIC

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 8 days ago


SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 225 rated it services


Job description

Job ID: 2615646
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-08-13
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Modeling/Sim Engr
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: No
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: TS/SCI with Poly
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
SAIC is seeking an AI/ML Engineer to join our team conducting a wide variety of analyses in support of Government satellite programs in Earth orbits. Areas of work may include:
  • Recognizing different types of satellites based on observations of them using optical and radar sensors
  • Scheduling space surveillance sensors to collaboratively find, recognize and track maneuvering satellites
  • Deciding what activities satellites should undertake

Satellite designers and operations planners will leverage your analyses to inform critical decisions. As part of an agile team including experts in astrodynamics, sensors and AI/ML you will collaboratively simulate operations concepts at-scale with support from our cloud computing and supercomputing specialists. You can expect regular opportunities to meet with and optionally present findings to local senior government customers.
  • Use programming languages such as Python, C++, or others to leverage existing analysis tools and develop new ones
  • Conduct independent trade studies and technical assessments
  • Review and validate algorithms and results provided by external teams
  • Develop and optionally present actionable technical briefings

Salary range: $100,000 - $200,000, based on qualifications listed below, plus company 401(k) match and discounted employee stock purchase plan
Flexible schedule: On-site core collaboration hours from 10 am to 3 pm, options to work nine or eight days out of every two weeks
Stability: Our team supports a fully-funded prime contract with the government. Additionally, our analysts routinely support other prime contracts as-necessary. As a large company with a major presence in Northern Virginia, SAIC offers a broad array of work opportunities for employees locally as well as nationally
Growth and career progression: You will have access to mentoring by experts in AI/ML and many other fields. Senior staff will have opportunities to serve as principals and team leaders. Managers will maintain open communications to ensure that you thrive
Detailed AI/ML job description:
  • Conduct Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) to identify patterns for feature engineering
  • Design, develop, and evaluate machine learning algorithms, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning
  • Build, train, and tune predictive models using state-of-the-art frameworks and tools
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify challenges, define problems, and translate them into actionable AI/ML solutions
  • Implement and optimize algorithms for tasks such as anomaly detection, prediction, classification, optimization, clustering, and natural language processing
  • Deploy machine learning models into production environments and establish pipelines for scalability and monitoring
  • Analyze model performance and identify opportunities for improvement by leveraging testing strategies and tuning hyperparameters

Qualifications
Required:
  • Education degree: Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Math, or a related technical field
  • Education and minimum professional experience for start of salary range: Bachelor's plus two years, Master's plus zero years, or PhD plus zero years
  • Experience: Astrodynamics
  • Programming: Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar
  • Clearance: Minimum of TS/SCI, should have current or be able to pass polygraph test

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .

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