Space Domain Awareness Engineer
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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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
Required Experience and Skills
- 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
Desired Education and Experience
- 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
About Awetomaton
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.
Benefits
We provide industry leading benefits that balance your health & wellbeing today, as well as lay a solid financial future into retirement. Highlights of our benefit plan include:
- Flexible time off totaling 36 days / year. No approvals required.
- 100% 401k company match up to IRS annual limits. This is a benefit of up to $23,500 for 2025.
- Health plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield with Health Savings Account (HSA). We pay 95% of employee premiums including family plans.
- Employee favorite: Tech and Wellness reimbursement of $3000 / year. Treat yourself with the newest gadgets or athletic gear. No approvals required.
- Annual profit sharing as 401k contribution. No set percent and dependent on annual company performance. Benefit is above and beyond 401k match.
- Windows or MacBook laptop and well-equipped office spaces for optimal productivity in office and on-the-go.
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