Awetomaton

Space Domain Awareness Engineer

Beavercreek, OH Full Time

Awetomaton is seeking a Research Scientist to support Space Domain Awareness (SDA) initiatives, with a focus on designing, implementing, and validating collection strategies and estimation algorithms that enable persistent custody and characterization of high-interest space objects. This role spans research, prototyping, and operational analysis, supporting unresolved and resolved collections, sensor planning, and multi-sensor data fusion across diverse SDA sensor modalities. The ideal candidate will possess a BS degree or higher with 5+ years of experience. This position will largely be performed from WPAFB. Active Top Secret security clearance required.

Key Responsibilities

  • Communicate effectively in both written and verbal form with technical & operational stakeholders
  • Demonstrate initiative when faced with limited guidance or ambiguous requirements
  • Design and evaluate SDA collection strategies for unresolved and resolved observations
  • Define collection configurations (e.g., bandwidth, integration time, wavelength, duration, tracking rate, sensor jogs)
  • Support sensor planning, tipping and cueing, and multi-sensor tasking approaches
  • Develop and validate multi-hypothesis state estimation algorithms for non-cooperative or maneuvering objects
  • Perform orbit determination and refinement (IOD, Batch Differential Correction)
  • Maintain and assess custody of high-interest objects (e.g., satellites, FOBS, ASAT-related objects)
  • Apply super-resolution techniques (e.g., Drizzle) to improve resolved collections
  • Use Ansys STK and Python to model sensors, orbits, access, and collection performance

Required Experience and Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Astrodynamics, Computer Science, or related field
  • 3+ years of experience in Space Domain Awareness, SSA, or orbital analysis
  • Proficiency in Python for scientific computing and estimation
  • Experience with orbit determination (IOD, BatchDC)
  • Familiarity with Ansys STK and SDA sensor modeling concepts
  • Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, estimation theory, and sensor geometry

Desired Education and Experience

  • Master’s or PhD in a relevant technical discipline
  • Experience with multi-sensor data fusion and multi-hypothesis estimation
  • Familiarity with SGP4 and SP-based propagation (e.g., HPOP)
  • Experience supporting DoD, IC, or commercial SDA missions

About Awetomaton

We build software that enables humans to make informed decisions from raw intel data, with a specialization in satellite collection. We are a Dayton-based defense startup that believes there is a critical skill & culture gap - one we are filling with high-output, mission focused engineering talent. Results matter to our customers. We've never lost a customer because we deliver what they need. Awetomaton is where you do work that matters with a passionate team in an environment that inspires your creativity.

Benefits

We provide industry leading benefits that balance your health & wellbeing today, as well as lay a solid financial future into retirement. Highlights of our benefit plan include:

  • Flexible time off totaling 36 days / year. No approvals required.
  • 100% 401k company match up to IRS annual limits. This is a benefit of up to $23,500 for 2025.
  • Health plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield with Health Savings Account (HSA). We pay 95% of employee premiums including family plans.
  • Employee favorite: Tech and Wellness reimbursement of $3000 / year. Treat yourself with the newest gadgets or athletic gear. No approvals required.
  • Annual profit sharing as 401k contribution. No set percent and dependent on annual company performance. Benefit is above and beyond 401k match.
  • Windows or MacBook laptop and well-equipped office spaces for optimal productivity in office and on-the-go.