Associate Director, SDA Astro Scientist (TS/SCI)

ARKA Group L.P. (“ARKA”) 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 enterprise. Built on more than six decades of excellence, ARKA brings modern approaches and a culture of innovation to the challenges of today.

Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!

Position Overview:

This position is for an Associate Director SDA Astro Scientist with extensive experience researching and developing cutting edge solutions for Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO), and Space Control. You will support ARKA’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. 

We offer generous relocation benefits for eligible candidates.

Candidates may be considered for sign on bonuses consistent with skills and experience levels.

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 
• Managing and growing a team of Astro engineers
• Growing the SDA/Space Control portfolio with support the ARKA 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 ARKA 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 Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or relevant fields 
• At least 15 years of 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
• 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
• TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or MS in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or relevant fields
• 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 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: $200,000 - $250,000

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 40 days for this position.

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

If you like city life, but also enjoy the great outdoors, Colorado Springs is the place for you. The city rests at the base of Pikes Peak. The 14,115-foot summit is just one of dozens of area attractions, including scenic trains, museums, parks, a zoo and more. With a mild climate and plenty of sunshine, the Springs boasts some of the state’s best recreation opportunities. The city is also known for its robust high-tech and sports industries. We are home to the U.S. Air Force Academy and four military bases and with the Olympic Training Center and dozens of sports federations nearby, it’s common to spot world-class athletes around town.

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
• Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree 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 25 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 a TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Visa Restrictions:

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Pre-employment Screenings:

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

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action:

ARKA 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.