Your mission

Join us in safeguarding the sustainability of space operations through advanced space situational awareness (SSA) technologies. As part of our team, you will develop cutting-edge collision avoidance algorithms, enhance space situational awareness , and innovate tools for satellite operators. Your expertise in data science and physics will help us detect, predict, and mitigate orbital risks, ensuring safe and sustainable space exploration.

OKAPI:Orbits already brings together a highly diverse team , and we actively continue to strengthen this diversity which allows us to achieve higher performance and drive innovation. Your tasks and responsibilities

You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of aerospace engineers, data scientists, and software developers to integrate and optimize third-party sensor data sources within our

SSA platform . Your contributions will directly enhance the accuracy, automation, and scalability of our orbital risk management solutions. Integrate third-party data sources into our platform, working closely with providers to seamlessly onboard their data.

Develop, implement, and optimize high-precision algorithms for orbit propagation, orbit determination (OD) , sensor fusion, covariance modelling, and uncertainty quantification. Develop methods to fuse data from diverse sources into one common image of the space debris environment . Conduct validation and verification (V&V;) campaigns to benchmark and refine algorithmic performance against ground truth datasets.

Work closely with software engineers to transition prototype algorithms into scalable, production-ready solutions. Your profile

Must-have: M.Sc. or higher in

Aerospace Engineering , Space Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field, or have prior work experience in the field of SSA/SST and related. A minimum of





5 years of relevant work experience is required. However, candidates with outstanding profiles may be considered with at least 3 years of experience. Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and flight dynamics. Experience in scientific programming using at least one of the following languages:

Java, Fortran (90+), or Python . Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative, and research-driven environment. Valid working permit for

Spain/EU . Nice-to-have: Hands-on experience with space surveillance and tracking (SST) systems , including sensor tasking and catalog maintenance. Experience working with space agencies or private space companies in the

SSA/SST field . Familiarity with space surveillance and tracking systems. Understanding of space policy and compliance frameworks. Experience with AI/ML applications for anomaly detection, pattern recognition, or orbit prediction in SSA applications. Interest in contributing to the sustainability of space and long-term spaceflight operations. Why us?

With a lean hierarchy and small working groups, you define your own way of work including versátil work hours. Work on groundbreaking space sustainability challenges with a team of top-tier engineers and scientists. After your on-boarding time in Braunschweig, you can choose between staying in our office (what we prefer), working from Spain (Madrid/Barcelona)

Enjoy technical freedom . Influence system architecture, research methodologies, and data integration approaches. Grow continuously with access to training budgets, industry conferences, and networking opportunities.

Be part of a strong engineering culture , with regular knowledge-sharing sessions , technical deep dives, and innovation sprints. Great team spirit, with company-wide events and social activities like laser tag, dinners, and team-building outings.

📌 Space Situational Awareness Engineer (Madrid)
🏢 OKAPI: Orbits
📍 Madrid