Principal SDA/Space Control Astro Scientist full_time

This position is for a Principal SDA/Space Control Astro Scientist in Aurora, CO, Colorado Springs, CO, or King of Prussia, PA with extensive experience researching and developing cutting edge solutions for Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO), and Space Control. You will support Stratagem’s growth in these areas through internal and contract R&D, software development and deployment to operations, and the mentoring of junior and mid-level engineers and scientists that are eager to learn more in the space domain. This position highlights complete end-to-end visibility by developing innovative new concepts, building them into a prototype solution, and then ultimately deploying them into active operational environments.

This position supports a hybrid-style work location, where the applicant may be able to work at home, or at the office location, as available work allows.

Company Overview

At Stratagem, we create advanced software solutions to support critical aspects of national security. We are solving highly complex problems with a team of fun, uniquely talented engineers that deliver capabilities to make a lasting impact.

Stratagem is a small, high-end software technology company that delivers operational solutions and performs advanced R&D for the DoD and Intelligence Community. We believe in a culture of innovation, fun, empowerment, and family. We want you to learn new skills so you can become more fulfilled in both your personal and professional life.

Stratagem is hiring exceptional individuals to join our growing team. We look for candidates that are thoughtful and team-oriented with excellent problem-solving skills, a high level of creativity, and the ability to quickly learn new technologies. We also seek out individuals that are clear communicators and support their teammates with a sense of positivity and open-mindedness.

Stratagem is an operating subsidiary of the ARKA Group, L.P., a Blackstone Group portfolio company focused in the National Security Space sector.

Salary Information

In compliance with Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the salary range for this role is $150,000 – $190,000; however, Stratagem considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Requirements

As a Principal SDA Scientist, your responsibilities include:

• Working with multiple teams of software engineers, algorithm developers and researchers to implement space traffic monitoring, space object dynamic modeling and prediction, and validation of SDA sensor data
• Growing the SDA/Space Control portfolio with support the Stratagem executive team
• Identifying new customers in the RPO community and theorizing innovative concepts to win new contracts
• Serving as Tech Lead / Principal Investigator for several SDA projects that require deep technical knowledge and creativity
• Leading a technical team to develop innovative new algorithms and approaches to leapfrog current state-of-the-art capabilities
• Representing Stratagem at conferences either as a technical presenter, conference chair, and/or through submission of technical publications
• Interfacing with customers to understand their most pressing space security challenges, decomposing the challenges into ambitious yet achievable projects, and directing/coaching a team to realize the solution
• Building a world-class SDA/RPO team by mentoring, upskilling, and hiring top talent

Required skills

• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or relevant fields
• Extensive experience and knowledge in astrodynamics, orbit estimation, space object characterization, filtering, and/or signal processing
• Experience researching and developing applications for SDA
• Experience supporting RPO missions
• Experience leading technical projects and supervising & mentoring software developers
• Peer Reviewed Publications in aerospace engineering journals (e.g., Journal of Acta Astronautica, Journal of Guidance Control, and Dynamics, etc.) or Conference Papers and Proceedings at relevant conferences (e.g., AIAA and AMOS)
• Experience with prototyping and developing SSA/SDA solutions in Java, Python, and/or MATLAB
• Experience growing and supporting a team of engineers and scientists
• Experience writing winning proposals
• An Active TS/SCI Clearance with SSBI

Desired skills (bonus points)

• MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or relevant fields
• Experience developing and operating SDA / Proximity Operations sensors
• Experience developing and operating robotic systems used for RPO missions
• Experience supporting the Space Force
• Experience developing and deploying scalable software solutions in operational environments
• Experience with any of the following additional languages: C++, Rust, Go, and/or C#
• Agile project management practices

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

Employment with Stratagem is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check, and drug screen.