CLC Space is currently recruiting a Flight Dynamics Operations Engineer to provide engineering services at their client’s headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.
JOB DESCRIPTION
To provide services to the Flight Dynamics routine operations of the in-flight EPS (Metop-A, Metop-B and Metop-C) and Sentinel-3 (A and B) satellites as well as the preparation and (after launch) execution of Flight Dynamics operations for future Low Earth Orbiting satellites (namely Jason-CS). Flight Dynamics service Flight Dynamics services to the preparation of future Low Earth Orbiting satellites (EPS-SG) may also be required.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The tasks in the area of EPS and Sentinel-3 Flight Dynamics routine operations will typically include:
- Execution of the routine operations of the EPS and Sentinel-3 Flight Dynamics Facilities, including spacecraft orbit determination and propagation, events and ground station visibility predictions, Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) telecommand generation and telemetry monitoring;
- Planning and execution of EPS and Sentinel-3 spacecrafts maneuvers, as well as of their evaluation, thruster calibration and maintenance of the fuel budgets estimates;
- Contribution to the contingency operation of EPS and Sentinel-3 spacecrafts, including preparation and execution of conjunction avoidance maneuvers, recovery of routine operations, safe mode support and operation transfer to the Back-Up Control Centre; these activities may require intervention during the night and the non-working days;
- Operational quality control of maneuvers and AOCS telecommands before up-link and execution on-board of the EPS and Sentinel-3 spacecraft;
- Preparation and maintenance of Flight Dynamics operational procedures for routine, special and contingency operations, configuration maintenance and system management;
- Performance analysis of the EPS and Sentinel-3 Flight Dynamics Systems, specially focusing on the monitoring of the input to the processing of meteorological products, and implementation of enhancements as required;
- Perform system level analyses needed for the refinement of the Flight Dynamics algorithms and optimisation of the operational configuration and implementation of enhancements as required for the EPS and Sentinel-3 missions;
- Preparation and production of routine reports as necessary.
The tasks in the area of preparation and of Flight Dynamics operations for future Low Earth Orbiting satellites (first Jason-CS, then EPS-SG) will typically include:
- Contribution to the ground segment development and operational preparation activities in the area of Flight Dynamics prior to launch of a new LEO satellite: FD database preparation, definition of operational procedures, generation of related operational configuration data and participation to operational validation of satellite and ground segment operations;
- Contribution to Flight Dynamics activities during launch and commissioning for the new LEO satellite: start-up of FD system and initialisation of FD operational data, assessment of hand-over conditions, in-flight validation of FD performances, execution of operations during orbit acquisition and commissioning activities and transition to routine operations;
- Review of spacecraft and ground-segment technical documentation and participation in formal reviews;
- Performance of mission and system analysis studies, preparation of technical notes and attendance at technical meetings.
- Execution of Flight Dynamics activities after the transition to routine operations of a new satellite.
YOUR PROFILE
In addition to having a University degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, you shall have at least 5 years of experience on Flight Dynamics of a LEO satellite; In particular, you shall demonstrate as a minimum the following mandatory skills:
- Knowledge of the analytical principles for orbit determination and control;
- Experience with the routine operations of operational Flight Dynamics systems for LEO satellites;
- Experience with the preparation and validation of operational Flight Dynamics systems for LEO satellites.
Furthermore, it would be a distinct advantage for you to have experience with some of the following:
- Knowledge of NAPEOS and Orekit SW;
- Familiarity with the AOCS of Low Earth orbiting satellites;
- Experience with conjunction analysis systems;
- Familiarity with configuration control practices for operational software;
- Skills in the area of software development and validation;
- Experience with one or more of the following: Java, Python, TCL, Fortran;
- Familiarity with statistical and graphical analysis tools
The working language for the position is English and therefore the you shall be able to work effectively in this language.