SpaceOps Tool Developer

Data Networks Inc is hiring a SpaceOps Tool Developer who is a specialized hybrid engineer bridging satellite subsystems expertise (power, comm, GNC, flight dynamics, thermal) with modern software engineering. The position builds, automates, and optimizes real-time command systems and offline engineering tools, streamline data analysis, and improve satellite operations. Unlike general software developers, SpaceOps Tool Developers possess specialized aerospace knowledge. 

As a member of the Engineering and Mission Operations Support Services -VII (EMOSS-VII) contract, based in Suitland, MD the position requires proven education and experience to demonstrate capacity to perform at a high-level as a SpaceOps Tool Developer. Our client is responsible for engineering and mission operations support for environmental monitoring satellites managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Core Responsibilities & Expertise

• Development and Maintenance of Operational Tools: Maintaining current satellite operations tools (flight dynamics, data trending and analysis), developing critical enhancements, and responding to changing mission requirements.

• Intersection of Roles: Position acts as "satellite operations engineer-who-codes," creating user-friendly interfaces (UIs) to automate operations.

• Automation of Real-time Ops: Maintaining software that automates routine commanding, telemetry monitoring, fault detection, and isolation/recovery (FDIR) sequences. Tools enable shifting from “human-in-the-loop” to “human-on-the-loop”, and maintaining autonomous systems that manage health without direct operator intervention.

• Subsystem Intelligence: Understanding of satellite flight and ground systems, including Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), communication, thermal regulation, and power management to write effective control algorithms.

• Modern Software Practices: Proficient in C, C++, Rust, Python, Google Apps Script and Linux environments, implementing robust automated test procedures, and writing operational procedures.

• Aerospace Context vs. General Coding: Understands why a satellite takes a certain action, not just how to code the command. Knows what telemetry parameters indicate such things as a thermal violation, thruster malfunction, or communication loss.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field, and 3-5 years of aerospace engineering experience. A Master’s degree in relevant discipline is equivalent to two years’ experience.

• Writing and presentation skills for a wide diverse audience.

• Perform contingency real time troubleshooting and analysis during anomalies, including real-time problem identification and resolution, support in case of any in-orbit anomaly and participate in the investigation of ground system anomalies. 

• Propose new or execute improvements to tools that will increase long term reliability, monitoring, and anomaly detection capability.

Highly Desired

• Direct experience developing and sustaining GOES-R Lightweight Automation-Driven Orbital Solution (GLADOS) code and its SOLAR-1 variant.

• Direct experience using flight dynamics software packages (GMAT, STK) for mission analysis.

• Direct experience providing trending and analysis software updates, mission unique adaptations and database updates.

• Configuration management and document management supporting flight operations.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work in a typical office building during a standard 40-hour week. Occasional deadlines or operational conditions require non-standard hours and longer hours. Travel for a few days to a couple of weeks per year.

• Work is at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) located on the Suitland Federal Center, MD.

We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.

EEO Statement

ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.