Astrodynamics Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

As a Junior Software Test Engineer supporting Flight Safety (FS) systems within a national security space mission environment, you will be responsible for testing, validating, and integrating mission-critical software tools used to perform Flight Safety operations. You will ensure system reliability and operational readiness for tools that support conjunction assessment (CA), space object tracking, and ground threat deconfliction analysis.

In this role, you will support the SME in test planning, system validation, integration testing, and operational verification of FS software tools used in 24/7 operations. You will work closely with developers, system engineers, and operators to ensure that new capabilities and data sources are properly integrated into both legacy and evolving systems with minimal operational risk.

You will also support mission protection activities by ensuring systems accurately process resident space object (RSO) catalogs, ephemeris data, and trajectory inputs to identify collision risks and support decision‑making for space operations stakeholders. A strong understanding of orbital mechanics and astrodynamics tools will be used to design effective test cases and validate system outputs.

Additionally, you will contribute to improving testing methodologies, system workflows, and operational procedures (TTPs) by identifying software issues, validating fixes in controlled environments, and supporting updates to training materials based on system changes and test outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support integration and verification testing of new data sources and software capabilities within legacy and next‑generation FS systems
• Design, execute, and document software test plans, regression tests, and operational validation scenarios in test and pre‑production environments
• Use Bash and Python scripts to support automated testing, data validation, troubleshooting, and system analysis in Linux‑based classified environments
• Validate system performance by executing conjunction assessment and screening workflows, including RSO‑to‑RSO and RSO‑to‑ground proximity analysis (e.g., ASW “SuperCombo”‑type runs)
• Perform pre‑ and post‑launch validation of TLEs, state vectors, and maneuver ephemeris data against cataloged RSOs to ensure collision risk mitigation logic is functioning correctly
• Operate and validate orbit propagation and analysis tools (e.g., STK or ASW‑type systems), ensuring correct input handling, output accuracy, and reporting consistency
• Support defect identification, root cause analysis, and issue tracking for software anomalies discovered during test and operational use
• Participate in test readiness reviews, flight safety meetings, and operational training/exercise events
• Develop and maintain test documentation, validation reports, and user/training materials, and provide hands‑on instruction (OJT) to team members
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, and external stakeholders to ensure system changes meet operational requirements and safety thresholds

This position is contingent upon award of contract

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 9 years w/o a degree or 7 years with AS/AA or 5 years with BS/BA; or 3 years with MS/MA; or 1 year with Ph.D.
• Active TS/SCI with adjudicated polygraph

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience with Flight Safety or astrodynamics test tools (e.g., STK, ASW SuperCombo), or STK Level 2 certification
• 2+ years of combined experience in space operations, conjunction assessment, or flight safety systems testing
• Understanding of orbital mechanics, conjunction analysis methods, and space domain awareness concepts
• Experience validating or testing systems involving RSO catalogs, ephemeris data, and orbital propagation models
• Ability to write and interpret Bash and Python scripts for test automation and data analysis
• Familiarity with national security space mission environments (e.g., NRO‑related systems and workflows)

Worklocation: Fort Belvoir

$86,000 - $138,000. 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.

Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.