SDA Operations Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 25, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 22, 2026.
Digantara is a leading Space Surveillance and Intelligence company focused on ensuring orbital safety and sustainability. With expertise in space-based detection, tracking, identification, and monitoring, Digantara provides comprehensive domain awareness across all regimes, enabling end-users to gain actionable intelligence on a single platform. At the core of its infrastructure lies a sophisticated integration of hardware and software capabilities aligned with the key principles of situational awareness: perception (data collection), comprehension (data processing), and prediction (analytics). This holistic approach empowers Digantara to monitor all Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in orbit, fostering comprehensive domain awareness.
The SDA Operations Engineer will support real-time Space Domain Awareness (SDA) operations by monitoring, analyzing, and maintaining orbital data, enabling timely operational decision-making, mission assurance, and continuous space situational awareness.
Ideal Candidate
2-4 years of experience in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), space operations, or orbital mechanics.
Strong analytical capability to interpret orbital data, identify anomalies, and support operational decision-making.
Comfortable working in mission-critical, real-time operational environments with a high degree of ownership and collaboration.
Roles & Responsibilities
Monitor and analyze space domain activity to identify events, anomalies, and potential risks to space assets.
Utilize multiple data sources including TLEs, sensor observations, and open-source intelligence to support operational analysis.
Perform Initial Orbit Determination (IOD), Orbit Determination (OD), and Orbit Propagation (OP) to maintain accurate Resident Space Object (RSO) catalogs and ensure timely object custody.
Support real-time and near-real-time SDA operations to maintain continuous situational awareness.
Generate operational reports, alerts, briefings, and recommendations for ongoing and emerging space events.
Perform modeling, simulation, and data-driven analyses to support operational planning and decision-making.
Develop and maintain Python-based automation scripts to improve operational workflows and analytical efficiency.
Contribute to the development of operational procedures, workflows, and course-of-action analyses.
Support testing, validation, and operational integration of SDA algorithms and software capabilities.
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and operations teams to improve system performance and operational effectiveness.
Participate in simulations, readiness exercises, and continuous operational improvement initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline.
2+ years of experience in space operations, orbital analysis, or related technical domains.
Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and astrodynamics.
Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and analytical workflows.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience interpreting complex datasets.
Preferred Qualities
Experience with SDA/SSA operational workflows including conjunction analysis, orbit determination, and satellite tracking.
Familiarity with space object catalogs, TLE data, and tools such as SGP4, Orekit, or GMAT.
Experience with data visualization and situational awareness platforms.
Exposure to mission operations, sensor tasking, or satellite operations environments.
Familiarity with Linux-based environments and version control using Git.
General Requirements
Ability to operate in a 24×7 mission environment, including shift-based rotations where required.
Strong communication and briefing skills for technical and operational stakeholders.
High attention to detail with the ability to perform effectively under time-critical conditions.
Ability to manage multiple operational priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Adaptability to evolving operational procedures, mission requirements, and analytical tools.
Strong collaboration skills with multidisciplinary engineering and operations teams.
Proactive mindset focused on continuous learning and operational excellence.