Senior LEO Flight Dynamics Analyst

The Senior LEO Flight Dynamics Analyst leads mission planning and execution for orbit raising, station-keeping, and disposal. The Senior FD Analyst performs complex operational analyses (orbit determination, maneuver design, collision avoidance), as well as mentoring junior analysts and refine operational workflows for greater efficiency;

Responsibilities

• Leads operational planning and execution of key orbital mission phases;
• Performs advanced conjunction assessment and recommend collision avoidance actions;
• Refines and improves workflows, including scripting automation for operational tasks;
• Liaises with other mission operations groups for integrated decision-making;
• Provides training and operational guidance to junior team members;
• Contributes in the development of a Space Situational Awareness System (SSAS) and integration to an external SSA service;
• Supports Installation, Validation and Verification of FDS systems;
• Provides inputs for 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;
• Defines on-station satellite maneuver strategy to meet station-keeping requirements; maintaining LEO orbit planes and individual satellite tracking strategies, while minimizing propellant usage;
• Optimizes FDS system to monitor and maintain orbit determination and maneuver reconstruction processes;
• Performs propellant usage and maneuver performance analysis;
• Develops satellite uploads for execution and monitoring, maintain orbit maintenance procedures for use by the SOC;
• Supports development of automation of scripts for the FDS operations of the spacecraft;
• Participates in LEOP/EOR campaigns; planning EOR strategies, performing orbit determination and generating tracking predicts for internal and external Lightspeed segments as necessary;
• Participates in the ongoing development of the procured 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 6-9-years of relevant work/industry experience;
• Experience in performing satellite station-keeping planning would be an asset;
• 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 would be an asset;
• Strong technical, presentation, interpersonal, written and communication skills;
• Experience with Machine Learning and Data Analytics is an asset;
• 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

• Makes mission operations decisions (e.g., maneuver recommendations, collision avoidance actions) under Flight Director oversight;
• Provides input to the Specialist on required software/tool improvements;
• Provide technical guidance to junior analysts.