Awetomaton2mo ago

Space Domain Awareness Engineer

Beavercreekmid

EngineeringData Science

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Quick Summary

Overview

Awetomaton is seeking a Research Scientist to support Space Domain Awareness (SDA) initiatives, with a focus on designing, implementing,

Technical Tools

EngineeringData Science

Awetomaton is seeking a Research Scientist to support Space Domain Awareness (SDA) initiatives, with a focus on designing, implementing, and validating collection strategies and estimation algorithms that enable persistent custody and characterization of high-interest space objects. This role spans research, prototyping, and operational analysis, supporting unresolved and resolved collections, sensor planning, and multi-sensor data fusion across diverse SDA sensor modalities. The ideal candidate will possess a BS degree or higher with 5+ years of experience. This position will largely be performed from WPAFB. Active Top Secret security clearance required.

Responsibilities

~1 min read

→Communicate effectively in both written and verbal form with technical & operational stakeholders
→Demonstrate initiative when faced with limited guidance or ambiguous requirements
→Design and evaluate SDA collection strategies for unresolved and resolved observations
→Define collection configurations (e.g., bandwidth, integration time, wavelength, duration, tracking rate, sensor jogs)
→Support sensor planning, tipping and cueing, and multi-sensor tasking approaches
→Develop and validate multi-hypothesis state estimation algorithms for non-cooperative or maneuvering objects
→Perform orbit determination and refinement (IOD, Batch Differential Correction)
→Maintain and assess custody of high-interest objects (e.g., satellites, FOBS, ASAT-related objects)
→Apply super-resolution techniques (e.g., Drizzle) to improve resolved collections
→Use Ansys STK and Python to model sensors, orbits, access, and collection performance

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Astrodynamics, Computer Science, or related field
3+ years of experience in Space Domain Awareness, SSA, or orbital analysis
Proficiency in Python for scientific computing and estimation
Experience with orbit determination (IOD, BatchDC)
Familiarity with Ansys STK and SDA sensor modeling concepts
Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, estimation theory, and sensor geometry

Master’s or PhD in a relevant technical discipline
Experience with multi-sensor data fusion and multi-hypothesis estimation
Familiarity with SGP4 and SP-based propagation (e.g., HPOP)
Experience supporting DoD, IC, or commercial SDA missions

We build software that enables humans to make informed decisions from raw intel data, with a specialization in satellite collection. We are a Dayton-based defense startup that believes there is a critical skill & culture gap - one we are filling with high-output, mission focused engineering talent. Results matter to our customers. We've never lost a customer because we deliver what they need. Awetomaton is where you do work that matters with a passionate team in an environment that inspires your creativity.