Deep Space Comms, Tracking & Cislunar SDA Analyst
On-siteChantilly, Virginia, United States
Job Summary
Develop and maintain in-depth understanding of system-level requirements for deep space communication and tracking architectures. Support full lifecycle engineering reviews, evaluate vendor proposals, and conduct trade studies to define future satellite capabilities. Review Contract Data Requirements List deliverables, participate in technical interchange meetings, and serve as a system engineering liaison to other divisions. Resolve highly complex multi-dimensional problems and develop documents to brief Government and industry stakeholders on work status. Provide technical insight for EO/RF sensor designs and assess the integration of commercial Space Domain Awareness data sources. This role advises government leadership on Space Domain Awareness, deep space tracking, and ground network integration for advanced national security missions. Requires Top Secret/SCI clearance and extensive experience in cislunar orbit determination and link budgets across 400,000+ km baselines.
Required Qualifications
- Must possess an active Top Secret/SCI clearance with the ability to obtain a Polygraph
- Bachelor's and fourteen (14) years or more experience
- Master's and twelve (12) years or more experience
- Cislunar Space Domain Awareness (SDA): Technical knowledge of detecting, tracking, and maintaining custody of dim targets in non-traditional observation geometries, high luminance backgrounds, and lunar exclusion zones
- Orbit Determination (OD): Evaluation of vendor tracking capabilities using non-cued optical, RF, ranging, and Doppler measurements in deep space
- Communications & Link Budgets: Technical review of long-range X-band, Ka-band, and deep-space optical/laser communication systems and link budgets across 400,000+ km baseline distances
- Protocol & Ground Integration: Familiarity with Delay-Tolerant Networking (DTN), Unified Data Library (UDL) data ingest, and ground network scheduling (e.g., NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) or commercial lunar data networks)
- SETA Oversight Duties: Evaluates vendor RF/Optical payload performance specifications, sensor integration trades, and ground infrastructure readiness
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building, and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a government/contractor team environment
- Experience providing systems engineering support and technical guidance in the acquisition, development, and deployment of satellite ground systems
- Ability to work in a very dynamic environment and effectively interact with numerous DOD, military/civilian personnel and industry partners
- Ability to facilitate technical discussions with SMEs
- Ability to communicate with a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise
- Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision
- Travel is 10%
Desired Qualifications
- Previous SAP experience Preferred
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