Focus: Mission Analysis, Proximity Operations and Manoeuvre Planning
Astos Solutions GmbH develops engineering software and provides specialized services for the international space industry. Our simulation, optimization and analysis solutions are used worldwide by space agencies, industrial companies and research organizations.
ASTOS® is a world-leading software solution for mission analysis, trajectory optimization and launch vehicle performance analysis. It is used for a broad range of applications, including Earth observation missions, satellite constellations, launch and re-entry missions, lunar and interplanetary transfers, and missions to Lagrange points.
To strengthen our mission analysis team, we are looking for an engineer with a strong background in orbital mechanics, numerical simulation and software development.
A current focus of the position is the analysis and planning of rendezvous and proximity operations. This includes the development of manoeuvre-planning software and the simulation-based verification of safe and collision-free satellite operations. At the same time, you will contribute to a broad range of national and international space missions.
Please Note: This position may involve access to export-controlled technical information and may, in the future, require a German personnel security clearance (Sicherheitsüberprüfung, SÜG); eligibility can depend on nationality and residence history.
- Perform mission analysis and trajectory design for satellite and space missions
- Analyse and design rendezvous, formation-flying and proximity-operations scenarios
- Develop manoeuvre concepts and operational sequences for multiple cooperating spacecraft
- Plan and assess spacecraft manoeuvres for IOT missions as part of ground-segment operations
- Support mission operations through manoeuvre preparation, simulation, validation and documentation
- Develop and maintain software for manoeuvre planning, mission analysis and simulation
- Perform numerical simulations to verify mission performance, operational feasibility and collision avoidance
- Assess relative trajectories, safe separation distances, drift behaviour and contingency scenarios
- Conduct sensitivity analyses, trade-off studies and Monte Carlo simulations
- Define mission constraints, operational modes and verification criteria
- Model spacecraft dynamics, propulsion systems, sensors and mission environments
- Use ASTOS for mission design, trajectory optimization and simulation
- Develop supporting tools and interfaces using suitable programming languages
- Prepare and review technical documentation, analysis reports and verification evidence
- Participate in technical discussions, reviews and project meetings with customers and partners
- Contribute to customer projects, research activities and the further development of ASTOS® and related software products
Essential Qualifications
- A university degree in aerospace engineering, physics or a comparable field
- Strong knowledge of orbital mechanics and spaceflight dynamics
- In-depth knowledge of rendezvous and proximity operations, including relative orbital dynamics, operational constraints and spacecraft safety
- Practical experience in the analysis, design or simulation of proximity-operations scenarios
- Ability to independently assess relative trajectories, manoeuvre concepts, safe-separation strategies and collision risks with limited initial training
- Experience in numerical modelling, simulation and analysis of dynamical systems
- Programming experience in at least one relevant language, such as Python or Matlab
- A strong interest in software development and the implementation of engineering algorithms
- Ability to translate mission concepts and mathematical methods into reliable software
- A structured and analytical approach to complex technical problems
- Good written and spoken English; German language skills are an advantage
- Eligibility to work with export-controlled technical information and, if required in the future, to undergo a German personnel security clearance (Sicherheitsüberprüfung, SÜG), which can depend on nationality and residence history
Desirable Qualifications – experience in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:
- Manoeuvre planning and autonomous mission planning
- Ground-segment mission planning and operational support
- Preparation and validation of spacecraft manoeuvre sequences
- Collision avoidance and spacecraft safety analysis
- Trajectory optimization and optimal control
- Lunar, interplanetary or Lagrange-point missions
- Earth observation missions and satellite constellations
- Orbit determination, navigation or state estimation
- Monte Carlo analysis and uncertainty propagation
- Development of scientific or engineering software
- Customer training, technical workshops or operational user support
- Experience with Python or MATLAB
- Software architecture, version control and automated testing
- Space engineering standards and mission verification processes
- Experience with ASTOS® or comparable mission analysis tools
- Technically challenging work on national and international space missions
- A broad range of applications, from proximity operations and Earth observation to lunar missions
- Responsibility across the complete mission analysis lifecycle, from early concept studies to detailed verification
- The opportunity to combine orbital mechanics, simulation and software development
- Direct involvement in the development of mission-planning and engineering software
- Direct collaboration with customers, space agencies and industrial partners
- A technically focused team with short decision-making paths
- Opportunities to contribute to the further development of ASTOS® and related simulation products
- Hybrid working model with flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile work, combined with regular on-site collaboration at our Stuttgart office; this position is not available on a fully remote basis
- An employer contribution to a company pension scheme
- A subsidized public transport job ticket, currently available as a Deutschlandticket
- Optional access to a corporate fitness program
We look forward to receiving your CV and relevant documents in German or English by email at [email protected].
We welcome applications regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, or sexual orientation/identity. Access to certain technical information may be subject to export control regulations and, in the future, a German personnel security clearance (SÜG), which may affect eligibility depending on nationality and residence history.
Further information on the processing of personal data during the application process is available in our privacy policy: https://www.astos.de/privacy_policy.
