National Security Space (NSS) Orbital Analyst
Colorado Springs, CO
Full Time
Mid Level
National Security Space (NSS) Orbital Analyst
Company: Omitron, Inc.
Location: Schriever Space Force Base, CO, National Space Defense Center (NSDC) (on-site, classified)
Reports to: Schriever SFB Site Leadership Team (Operations Lead for mission tasking; Administrative Lead for administrative matters)
As an NSS Orbital Analyst, you bring mature analytical judgment to the full range of operational orbital mechanics problems the mission presents. You will process orbit states and predictions, solve non-routine technical and operational problems in real time, and coordinate and integrate findings across multiple functional areas to develop and deliver products that inform customer decisions. Operating with a high degree of independence, you will apply seasoned expertise to the hardest problems on the floor and serve as a technical resource to less-experienced analysts. You also carry the responsibility to understand and implement the rigorous security policies inherent to the NSS mission area.
The position combines rigorous orbital analysis with practical mission operations in an isolated, no-internet classified environment. Much of the specific mission function is not disclosed here for security reasons; day to day, the work is best understood as senior orbital analysis in direct support of a national-security space mission. A distinguishing element of this role is on-site development and sustainment of Python automation used to support mission processes within the isolated network, where tooling must be built and maintained entirely inside the enclave.
Orbital Analysis and Mission Operations
Omitron recognizes that outstanding people are the key to our success. We select highly qualified, motivated individuals and provide the environment they need to do meaningful work, alongside competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and career growth.
Omitron is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We strongly encourage women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
Benefits include:
Company: Omitron, Inc.
Location: Schriever Space Force Base, CO, National Space Defense Center (NSDC) (on-site, classified)
Reports to: Schriever SFB Site Leadership Team (Operations Lead for mission tasking; Administrative Lead for administrative matters)
Position Overview
Omitron helps keep space safe and navigable for the nation. We are the developer and sole maintainer of the Astrodynamics Support Workstation (ASW), the mission-critical software suite that serves as the algorithmic engine for high-accuracy spaceflight safety operations across the U.S. Government. ASW provides orbital analysis and conjunction assessment for Space Situational Awareness customers spanning DoD, the Department of Commerce, and NASA. At the National Space Defense Center (NSDC) on Schriever Space Force Base, CO, that mission runs around the clock in support of the joint Protect and Defend (P&D) mission. Analysts characterize the space battlespace, detect and assess threats to national space assets, and help preserve the nation's freedom of action in space. We are seeking an experienced National Security Space (NSS) Orbital Analyst to join our NSDC team at the heart of it, working alongside orbital analysts, engineers, and government operators to deliver the products that enable customer situational awareness and decision making.As an NSS Orbital Analyst, you bring mature analytical judgment to the full range of operational orbital mechanics problems the mission presents. You will process orbit states and predictions, solve non-routine technical and operational problems in real time, and coordinate and integrate findings across multiple functional areas to develop and deliver products that inform customer decisions. Operating with a high degree of independence, you will apply seasoned expertise to the hardest problems on the floor and serve as a technical resource to less-experienced analysts. You also carry the responsibility to understand and implement the rigorous security policies inherent to the NSS mission area.
The position combines rigorous orbital analysis with practical mission operations in an isolated, no-internet classified environment. Much of the specific mission function is not disclosed here for security reasons; day to day, the work is best understood as senior orbital analysis in direct support of a national-security space mission. A distinguishing element of this role is on-site development and sustainment of Python automation used to support mission processes within the isolated network, where tooling must be built and maintained entirely inside the enclave.
Responsibilities
As an NSS Orbital Analyst, you are accountable for:Orbital Analysis and Mission Operations
- Solve operational orbital mechanics problems and process orbit states and predictions in support of the NSDC Protect and Defend mission, applying seasoned analytical judgment to non-routine and time-sensitive events.
- Apply orbit determination and maintenance techniques across general and special perturbation formats, including orbit decay and orbital maneuvers for station keeping and change of station.
- Perform conjunction assessment, proximity operations analysis, and satellite collision avoidance in defense of national space assets.
- Evaluate space surveillance sensors, networks, and observation data, applying a proficient understanding of their capabilities and limitations.
- Coordinate and integrate relevant information and findings across multiple functional areas to develop and deliver products that enable customer situational awareness and decisions.
- Support technical review of applicable government policies, plans, procedures, and documentation, and collaborate with other space operations centers and space acquisition offices.
- Prepare and deliver clear analytical products, status, and findings to government operators and technical leadership.
- Develop, test, and maintain short programs and scripts in Python (or Perl, shell, or similar) to automate mission processes, entirely within an isolated, no-internet classified environment.
- Manage and sustain locally developed automation over its lifecycle inside the enclave, where standard external repositories, package managers, and online resources are unavailable.
- Support the use, maintenance, and improvement of data processing systems and mission software tools; assist in identifying and resolving system and data processing anomalies.
- Complete required training pipelines and sustain currency on the tasks needed for steady-state and surge operations.
- Serve as a technical resource to less-experienced analysts, sharing methods and lessons learned.
- Grow your technical depth across SDA and national-security space mission areas, with potential to broaden into advanced technical tasks as the mission evolves.
Minimum Requirements
- US Citizenship required
- Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI required; must be willing and eligible to obtain and maintain CI polygraph access as required by the customer.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in a technical field such as Aerospace or other Engineering, Space Operations, or Physics.
- Experience:
- Five or more years of space-related experience involving Space Situational Awareness, satellite catalog maintenance, orbital analysis, and collision avoidance.
- Demonstrated ability to perform real-time analysis and solve non-routine technical and operational problems independently.
- Working knowledge of orbital mechanics and astrodynamics, with a proven ability to apply orbit determination and prediction methods to real-world operational problems.
- Understanding of space object tracking sensors and networks, including their capabilities and limitations.
- Ability to create short programs in Python, Perl, or other scripting languages to automate mission processes.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills and proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint).
- Certification: Willingness to obtain Security+ (or equivalent DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II certification) within a defined period after hire, as required to support software and automation work on mission systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Education: Master's degree in Aerospace or other Engineering, Space Operations, Physics, or a related technical field, with 8 or more years of relevant experience.
- Experience:
- Current Security+ (or equivalent DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II) certification.
- Current CI polygraph and prior Special Access Program (SAP) access.
- Prior experience supporting USSPACECOM, NRO, NSDC, or a national-security space mission.
- Ability to apply orbital mechanics to operations including orbit determination and maintenance, general and special perturbation formats, orbit decay, and maneuvers for station keeping and change of station.
- Experience developing and sustaining automation in an isolated or air-gapped environment without internet access.
- Familiarity with Python numerical libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and SciPy.
- Familiarity with Space Force's Astrodynamics Support Workstation (ASW) or similar astrodynamics mission software.
- Familiarity with Linux-based operating systems, particularly Red Hat, Fedora, or SUSE.
- Understanding of space object tracking sensors and networks, including proximity operations and maneuver detection.
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills and the ability to apply innovative analysis in a dynamic environment.
Working Relationships
- Reports to: Schriever SFB Site Leadership Team (Operations Lead and Administrative Lead).
- Collaborates with: Site orbital analysts, engineers, and team leads; other space operations centers and space acquisition offices as required.
- Customer Interface: NSDC mission operators and government technical leadership, and Prime program personnel, as delegated.
Schedule and Environment
- On-site position in a secured, isolated classified facility (no internet) at Schriever Space Force Base, CO, supporting the National Space Defense Center.
- Work is accomplished primarily Monday through Friday during standard business hours; due to the non-routine operations environment, work may be required outside those times, and the position may on occasion require crew-based shift work in support of 24/7 operations.
- Occasional travel (approximately 10%) may be required.
About Omitron
Omitron is an Aerospace Engineering and Information Technology small business headquartered in Beltsville, Maryland, with a field office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and personnel at operational sites nationwide. Since 1984, Omitron has provided excellence in engineering services and product development to government and industry customers across civilian and military aerospace programs.Omitron recognizes that outstanding people are the key to our success. We select highly qualified, motivated individuals and provide the environment they need to do meaningful work, alongside competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and career growth.
Omitron is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We strongly encourage women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is $120,000 to $155,000, depending on relevant experience, location, and other factors.Benefits include:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- HSA or FSA accounts
- Company-paid Short-Term/Long-Term Disability and AD&D insurance
- Paid Federal Holidays
- Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
- Parental Leave
- 401(k) with company match
- Supplemental insurance options (AFLAC, Voluntary Life)
- Professional Development Reimbursement
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