Space Situational Awareness Engineer
Join us in safeguarding the sustainability of space operations through advanced space situational awareness (SSA) technologies. As part of our team, you will develop cutting-edge collision avoidance algorithms, enhance space situational awareness , and innovate tools for satellite operators. Your expertise in data science and physics will help us detect, predict, and mitigate orbital risks, ensuring safe and sustainable space exploration.
About the role
We would like to share with you that research shows that women are less likely to apply for a position unless they meet 100% of the listed requirements.
Please know that if it’s your case - but you are passionate about space technology, building reliable software, and contributing to a more sustainable space environment - we strongly encourage you to apply.
OKAPI:Orbits already brings together a highly diverse team, and we actively continue to strengthen this diversity which allows us to achieve higher performance and drive innovation.
Key responsibilities
- You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of aerospace engineers, data scientists, and software developers to integrate and optimize third-party sensor data sources within our SSA platform. Your contributions will directly enhance the accuracy, automation, and scalability of our orbital risk management solutions.
- Integrate third-party data sources into our platform, working closely with providers to seamlessly onboard their data.
- Develop, implement, and optimize high-precision algorithms for orbit propagation, orbit determination (OD), sensor fusion, covariance modelling, and uncertainty quantification.
- Develop methods to fuse data from diverse sources into one common image of the space debris environment.
- Conduct validation and verification (V&V) campaigns to benchmark and refine algorithmic performance against ground truth datasets.
- Work closely with software engineers to transition prototype algorithms into scalable, production-ready solutions.
What you bring
Must have
- M.Sc. or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Space Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field, or have prior work experience in the field of SSA/SST and related.
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience is required. However, candidates with outstanding profiles may be considered with at least 3 years of experience.
- Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and flight dynamics.
- Experience in scientific programming using at least one of the following languages: Java, Fortran (90+) or Python.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative, and research-driven environment.
- Valid working permit for Spain/EU.
Nice to have
- Hands-on experience with space surveillance and tracking (SST) systems, including sensor tasking and catalog maintenance.
- Experience working with space agencies or private space companies in the SSA/SST field.
- Familiarity with space surveillance and tracking systems.
- Understanding of space policy and compliance frameworks.
- Experience with AI/ML applicationsfor anomaly detection, pattern recognition, or orbit prediction in SSA applications.
- Interest in contributing to the sustainability of space and long-term spaceflight operations.
What we offer
A permanent contract, a real budget to learn, and a team that reviews its own benefits with the people who use them. Flexible core hours, 30 days of holiday, a subsidized pension, Hansefit, a BahnCard, and workation for more than a month a year.
Who you’ll work with
“You will own a slice of the platform end to end. Nobody here hands you a ticket and walks away.”
Engineering
How we work
How we work
- Reality over abstractionReal catalogues, real physics, real orbital data. Demos run on the same engine that flies for customers.
- Clarity over decorationOperational tools earn their place by what they let you decide, not by what they look like at trade shows.
- Audit by defaultEvery decision is stamped, versioned, and exportable. There is no undocumented path.
- No conflict of interestWe do not operate satellites. Our only incentive is the accuracy of the assessment.
- Calm in the roomOperations work is high-stakes. The platform lowers the stress level, not amplifies it.
About OKAPI:Orbits
Space Situational Awareness, built for operations
OKAPI:Orbits is a Braunschweig-based Space Situational Awareness (SSA) company. We build the operational layer that satellite operators, governments, and institutions rely on to keep spacecraft safe in increasingly congested orbits.
More about OKAPI:OrbitsApply for Space Situational Awareness Engineer.
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