Senior SDA/Space Control Research Scientist (TS/SCI)

ARKA Group L.P. is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space domain. ARKA has a 60-year legacy reaching back to the very beginning of our country’s space endeavors. We’re a legacy of mission excellence built on ground-breaking technologies. Join the ARKA mission and discover your next career opportunity now!

This position is for a Senior SDA/Space Control Research Scientist in Aurora, CO with experience researching and developing cutting edge solutions for Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO), and Space Control. You will support The Stratagem Group, an ARKA Group company's growth in these areas through internal and contract R&D, software development and deployment to operations, and the mentoring of junior 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.

Responsibilities:

• 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
• Assisting with proposal writing and solutioning
• Serving as a Tech Lead for aspects of SDA projects that require technical knowledge and leadership
• Participating in customer exchanges 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 helping to mentor, upskill, and hire top talent

Basic Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI US Government Clearance
• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or relevant fields
• 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 and/or Space Control missions
• Experience leading technical projects and supervising & mentoring software developers
• Experience with prototyping and developing SSA/SDA solutions in Java, Python, and/or MATLAB
• Experience growing and supporting a team of engineers and scientists
• Proposal development experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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

Pay Range: $135,000-$195,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

The application window will close in 60 days for this position.

Location:

This position is based out of ARKA’s nature abundant Aurora, CO campus. Being situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Aurora provides opportunities to enjoy all the beautiful nature that Colorado has to offer, while also being a 20-minute drive from downtown Denver and 15-minutes to the Denver International Airport.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
• Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
• 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
• 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
• 13 paid holidays
• Continuing education benefit up to $25k/year for approved programs
• Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

EHS/Environmental Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 40 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to staffing@arka.org or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.

ITC & Security Clearance Requirements:

This position requires an active US Government Security Clearance.

Visa Restrictions:

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Employment with any of the ARKA Group companies in the US is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check and drug screen.

ARKA Group L.P. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.