This is a future role. We're building a shortlist now and will contact you when it opens.
About us
Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit, using lasers fired from the ground. We call it ground truth for orbit.
We design and run low-cost, autonomous satellite laser ranging stations. They measure the distance to satellites with extreme precision, day and night. Our data platform turns those measurements into tracking data and orbit products for satellite operators, space agencies and governments. We also build our own flight-proven laser retroreflector arrays, so any satellite can be tracked.
Our station network is expanding across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. The data supports resilient navigation, Earth observation and the safe, sustainable use of space.
We're a small, fast-moving team of engineers, scientists and operators in London. We're backed by venture investors and supported by ESA, the UK Space Agency, Innovate UK and the European Innovation Council.
Position Overview
London · Full time · On-site
You’ll be a key contributor to our precision orbit determination platform, Origin. You’ll develop high accuracy, robust and reliable orbit determination and prediction software to provide the gold standard accuracy for orbit products.
What you'll do
Develop, test and improve automated precision orbit determination pipelines and other flight dynamics tooling for Foundational’s Origin platform
Develop improved force models, measurement corrections and spacecraft modelling
Build orbit prediction and ephemeris products
Testing, validation and monitoring of all data products
Produce high quality software for our platform
Work with customers on how they use orbit products
What you'll bring
At least 3 years of experience building flight dynamics software
Knowledge of Python
Experience with operational orbit determination and good knowledge of techniques
Experience working with modern software development practices (e.g. CI/CD pipelines, version control, docker)
Ability to write high quality code, knowledge of standard programming best practice (OOP, design patterns)
Nice to have
Experience with high precision OD
Knowledge of cloud platforms (ideally AWS)
Experience with Orekit
Solid understanding of covariance/uncertainty realism, statistical techniques, etc
What We Offer
A high-impact role with real ownership at an early-stage, venture-backed spacetech company
EMI share options (UK employees)
25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
Enhanced Parental Leave
Cycle to work schemes
Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics
Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials
We actively champion underrepresented groups and seek to bridge gaps in our workforce. If you're excited by the role but don't match every point, or you’re seeking a part time role, please apply anyway and add a note into your application. Building the best team is our priority.
Skills Required
- MSc or PhD, or equivalent experience, in astrodynamics, aerospace engineering, or physics
- Hands-on experience with orbit determination using batch least squares and Kalman filtering on real tracking data
- Experience with Orekit, GMAT, GEODYN, ODTK, or equivalent tools
- Strong Python, C++, or Java programming skills
- Strong understanding of time systems and reference frames
- Experience with SLR, GNSS, or DORIS processing
- Experience with space situational awareness or conjunction assessment
- Knowledge of covariance realism
- Experience with flight dynamics operations
What We Do
We're an early-stage, mission-driven startup tackling one of the most exciting and complex challenges today to create the most precise understanding of space and earth using ground-based lasers. Using satellite laser ranging (SLR) data we are empowering the next generation of space companies with exquisite data that allows new forms of resilient navigation, earth observation and precise space traffic control - essential for the sustainability and resilience of the space domain, resilient navigation an the future of earth observation.
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