{"id":3058481,"url":"https://alion.io/job/apolink-astrodynamics-lead-founding-role","title":"Astrodynamics Lead (Founding Role)","company":{"id":672028,"name":"Apolink","domain":"apolink.space","url":"https://alion.io/company/apolink","size_band":"1-10","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":null},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Palo Alto, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":150000,"max":190000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":190000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"GMAT","optional":false},{"name":"Orekit","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"STK","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-19T00:43:23Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-19","last_verified_at":"2026-10-30T19:16:45Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":41,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":41},"description":"About Apolink\nApolink is building the first-ever backward-compatible data relay constellation in low Earth orbit. By enabling efficient data aggregation and relay through our hybrid RF-optical inter-satellite link (ISL) architecture, we support scalable and resilient space infrastructure across commercial, federal, and defense applications.\nAbout The Role\nIn this role, you'll design the constellation, verify RAAN and phasing, and run the coverage analysis that shows which architectures meet customer SLAs. You'll also build the propulsion and Δv budgets for deployment, station-keeping, collision avoidance, and de-orbit. This starts with our upcoming paired demonstration satellite mission and scales to the full LEO relay constellation. You'll work directly with the bus, propulsion, and optical/RF link teams and turn orbital analysis into hardware and mission requirements. The role is hands-on end to end: modeling, trade studies, maneuver planning, and on-orbit operations.\nResponsibilities:\nDesign and own constellation architecture: plane count, altitude, inclination, LTAN, and intra- and inter-plane phasing, traded against coverage, launch cost, and ISL geometry\n\nRun SLA-grade coverage analysis on link-closing access: handover continuity, window durations, gap statistics, and percent-time-covered for specific target orbits.\n\nWork with the RF team to close coverage and access analysis against real RF link budgets rather than geometric visibility alone. This means computing access windows only where range, elevation, off-boresight angle, Doppler, and slant-path losses support the required data rate and margin.\n\nModel ISL relative geometry between constellation members and customer spacecraft, including range, angular constraints, and handover timing. Iterate with the RF and optical teams so orbit design and link design converge.\n\nDevelop Δv and propellant budgets for drag makeup across the solar cycle, station-keeping, collision avoidance, and end-of-life disposal. Provide thruster and propellant sizing inputs to the bus team.\n\nBuild and maintain the orbit determination, ephemeris, and maneuver-planning pipeline. Own conjunction screening and CDM response through Space-Track and commercial SSA providers.\n\nProvide orbital parameters and deorbit analysis for the commercial FCC and ITU filings.\n\nQualifications:\nDirect, hands-on experience with LEO mission or constellation design: orbit selection, SSO design, and station-keeping for flown or flight-bound spacecraft.\n\n4+ years in applied astrodynamics, mission design, or flight dynamics.\n\nBS/MS/PhD in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, or physics, or equivalent demonstrated depth.\n\nProficiency with at least one of GMAT, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, Orekit, Tudat, or Basilisk, and strong Python.\n\nSolid perturbation modeling: J2 and higher-order gravity, atmospheric drag (NRLMSISE-00, JB2008), and SRP.\n\nCapacity to exercise independent technical judgment as the orbital authority and be accountable for it.\n\nPreferred:\nConstellation, formation-flying, or relative-motion experience.\n\nFlight dynamics operations experience, including maneuver execution, OD, and conjunction response.\n\nExperience planning electric or cold-gas propulsion maneuvers.\n\nBenefits:\nCompetitive salary and benefits package\n\nMeaningful early-stage equity\n\nOpportunity to own optical for a constellation end to end\n\nMedical, dental, vision, 401(k), relocation assistance\n Salary: $150,000-$190,000\n\nAdditional Information\nTo conform to the U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.\nApolink Communications is an equal opportunity employer. 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