LEO Flight Dynamics Specialist

As a member of the LEO SOC Development team, the LEO Flight Dynamics Specialist owns the software and automation backbone of the Flight Dynamics System (FDS). The FD specialist ensures reliability, scalability, and maintainability of operational scripts, workflows, and toolchains, and bridges the gap between mission operations and software engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintain automation scripts and CI/CD pipelines for operational workflows;
• Manages version control, configuration management, and deployment of software changes;
• Troubleshoots, optimizes, and monitors FDS performance and stability;
• Documents all developed systems and workflows in Confluence and technical documentation;
• Collaborates with the SOC Systems team and external vendors to integrate new operational capabilities;
• Provides technical mentorship to the FD team on software development best practices;
• Leads Flight Dynamics System (FDS) development; tailoring processes to manage the Lightspeed constellation;
• Guide development of a Space Situational Awareness System (SSAS) and integration to an external SSA service;
• Lead orbit management CONOPS for all phases of the Lightspeed mission; including Launch and Early Operations (LEOP), Electric Orbit Raising (EOR), nominal on-station operations, SSA strategy and end-of-life deorbit;
• Guides on-station satellite maneuver strategy to meet station-keeping requirements; maintaining LEO orbit planes and individual satellite tracking strategies, while minimizing fuel usage;
• Optimizes FDS system to monitor and maintain orbit determination and maneuver reconstruction processes;
• Manages propellant usage tracking and maneuver performance analysis;
• Leads automation development; including FDS scripts for maneuvers, momentum dumping and propellant guaging;
• Supports LEOP/IOT/EOR campaigns; planning EOR strategies, performing orbit determination and generating tracking predicts for internal and external Lightspeed segments as necessary;
• Manages ongoing development of the Flight Dynamics System maneuver planning software;
• Prepares and presents reports and presentations for Telesat Lightspeed technical management.

Education and Experience

• Masters or Bachelor degree in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering or Computer Science or the equivalent;
• A background in statistics, calculus, classical mechanics, celestial mechanics and computer programming is required;
• Minimum 9-14 -years of relevant work experience directly or commensurate to space orbital dynamics;
• Experience in performing satellite station-keeping planning;
• Experience in developing software and with a variety of platforms and programming tools using modern scripting languages, however, operational procedure scripting languages will also be used so the ability to learn new tools is critical;
• Experience with Linux systems administration Python programming and configuration management is an asset;
• Experience with Machine Learning and Data Analytics is a valued asset;
• Strong technical, presentation, interpersonal, written and communication skills;
• Independent and self-motivated, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment;
• Work requires considerable attention to detail;
• Knowledge of containerized software platforms is an asset.

Decision Making and Supervision

• Independent technical decision-making on software architecture, integration, and automation;
• Works under general direction of the Senior FD Specialist, but sets technical priorities for software infrastructure and collaboration with the SOC Systems team;
• Influences operational decisions indirectly through robust and reliable software solutions;
• Leads the development team in the management of Flight Dynamics related activities, including use of the FDS development system for the purpose of testing and rehearsals;
• Manage development projects including collaboration with Satellite Engineers and Space Segment to implement timely and effective systems for new programs or in response to satellite anomalies;
• Provide technical guidance to senior and junior analysts.