Orbital Analyst / Principal Orbital Analyst (TS/SCI Polygraph Required) – Schriever Space Force Base

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

The Payload and Ground Systems organization within the Northrop Grumman Space Systems pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking an Orbit Analyst (OA) to be a member of the OA team on the NRO Operations and Launch Support (NOALS) contract at Schriever AFB, CO. The OA will be responsible for astrodynamics analytical support, system problem/anomaly resolution support, data trending, operational product updates, and performance analyses. The team also provides program expertise on engineering subsystems and maintains a baseline of operational products for a complex system. The candidate will have an active role in shaping the basis of how to execute planning and operations. The candidate should be a self-starter who has a passion for space and wants to be part of a team who shares that passion.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Perform orbit analysis, orbital determination and analysis functions.

• Generate and provide daily orbital data to execute numerous satellite contacts.

• Generate and provide daily orbit data to external users.

• Perform orbital engineering tasks required to support launch operations including sensor coverage and telemetry collection planning using link margin analysis and other tools, predicting trajectory and estimating the final orbit.

• Participate in program to customer interface requirements definition to ensure program and customer mission success.

• Interface with external customers to maintain tracking station location, obscura, and Transmit Inhibit Zone data.

• Participate in testing efforts of newly upgraded tracking stations.

• Participate in customer education of basic astrodynamics.

• Support and perform future OA software and hardware upgrades leading to the automation of many of the OA functions supporting both daily OA activities and OA launch support activities.

• Providing rotating 24x7 on-call support to lead the resolution of system issues and anomalies. 

These positions can be staffed at a level 2 or 3 based on the basic qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance and polygraph required to start.

• Level 2: BS degree and 2 years’ experience, MS degree and 0 years’ experience, or PhD and 0 years’ experience.  STEM degree required.

• Level 3: BS degree and 5 years’ experience, a MS degree and 3 years’ experience, or a PhD and 0 years’ experience. STEM degree required.

• Knowledge of orbital mechanics

• Good organizational skills and the ability to handle multi-tasking

• Ability to identify and achieve multiple milestones spread across various calendars and schedules

• Ability to create and follow standard processes and clearly document results

• Strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills, demonstrated by frequent and successful application of technical standards, theories, concepts, and techniques

• Ability to interface effectively with users, customers, management, and other engineering personnel

• Ability to occasionally work odd and/or extended hours covering a 24/7 period, particularly during launch operations

• Ability to work rotating on-call shifts

• Be able to maintain composure in stressful situations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess strong interpersonal and communications skills

• Background in one or more of the following technical disciplines: orbital propagation and perturbations, orbit estimation, orbital maneuvers, modeling and simulation, and analysis

• Experience in modeling, simulation and analysis in orbital maneuvers and orbit estimation

• Knowledge and experience with STK, ODTK, Matlab and other COTS products

• Ability to evaluate established and emerging technologies for applicability to architectural initiatives

• Experience in executing the project life cycle of requirements analysis, design, hardware and/or software development, integration, test, and sustainment

• Experience in evaluating viability of vendor and government-provided HW/SW as part of technology/product trade studies

• Ability to develop and maintain operational procedures, products and training materials

• Knowledge of communications (network and RF) topologies, including SGLS, K and X band design

• Knowledge and experience with satellite command & control theories and methodologies

# COSpace

Salary Range: $74,900 USD - $138,400 USD

Salary Range 2: $95,100 USD - $142,700 USD

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.