Laser Engineering Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

About Peraton 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 solve the most daunting challenges that our customers face. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure. About The Role Help safeguard some of the nation's most critical space capabilities. As an Engineering Analyst specializing in Laser Deconfliction and Space Mission Assurance, you will support a high-priority national security space warfighting mission by identifying, analyzing, and mitigating threats that could impact mission-critical space and ground assets. As a key member of the Flight Safety Engineering team, you will conduct advanced orbital and directed-energy threat analyses to assess potential hazards posed by terrestrial and space-based systems. Your work will directly support mission operators, planners, and decision-makers by providing timely warnings, risk assessments, and technical recommendations that protect operational assets and ensure mission continuity. This role combines astrodynamics, flight safety, operational engineering, and threat analysis to deliver mission-critical products that enable safe and effective space operations. You will also help shape the future of mission protection by integrating new data sources, refining operational procedures, improving analytical capabilities, and supporting the development of next-generation mission systems. The ideal candidate is a technically skilled problem-solver with a strong understanding of orbital dynamics, flight safety operations, and space-domain threats who thrives in a fast-paced national security environment.
Key Responsibilities * Conduct routine and time-sensitive conjunction assessments (CA) and directed-energy (laser) deconfliction analyses to identify and mitigate threats to mission-critical space and ground assets.
* Validate and assess the integrity of orbital and mission data used to support flight safety, mission protection, and operational decision-making.
* Develop, maintain, and deliver deconfliction products, risk assessments, and operational recommendations to support asset protection and mission assurance objectives.
* Create and refine operational procedures, checklists, and workflows that improve mission effectiveness, asset protection, and analytical consistency.
* Support the integration and operational adoption of new data sources, analytical tools, and mission systems.
* Improve tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) supporting flight safety, space domain awareness, and mission protection operations.
* Monitor emerging space-domain threats and maintain awareness of current operational risks affecting mission assets.
* Analyze pre-launch and post-launch Two-Line Element (TLE) data, state vectors, trajectories, and hypothetical burn ephemerides using the latest Resident Space Object (RSO) catalog information to identify and mitigate collision and operational risks.
* Operate advanced orbital analysis and propagation software to generate accurate mission products and support operational planning activities.
* Deliver technical assessments and reports to mission operators, planners, engineers, and senior decision-makers.
* Participate in flight safety reviews, technical working groups, mission planning sessions, training activities, and operational exercises.
* Support training, mission readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives across the broader mission protection enterprise.This position is contingent upon contract award. Qualifications Required Qualifications * Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA
* 2+ years of experience using flight safety and orbital analysis tools such as Astrodynamics Support Workstation (ASW), SuperCombo, Systems Tool Kit (STK), or comparable mission systems.
* STK Level II Certification may be substituted for relevant tool experience.
* Active TS/SCI clearance with adjudicated PolygraphPreferred Qualifications * 4+ years of experience supporting conjunction assessment, laser deconfliction, flight safety operations, space mission assurance, systems engineering, or operational space missions.
* Advanced understanding of orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, flight safety operations, and space mission planning.
* Knowledge of foreign and domestic space and ground-based threat capabilities.
* Experience supporting Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, or national security space missions.
* Experience integrating operational requirements into technical system development efforts.
* Strong analytical, technical writing, and briefing skills.
* Proven ability to collaborate effectively with military, civilian, engineering, and operational stakeholders across all organizational levels.Worklocation: * Fort Belvoir
Details 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. Benefits Statement: Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits. Application Statements: The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate's own. EEO:Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.