Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.
As a Senior Modeling & Simulation (M&S) Engineer, you will develop models, tools, and simulations of next-generation space systems. The products you develop will form the backbone of a high-performance space systems team, aligning requirements and specifications from early mission analysis through spacecraft design, manufacturing, and in-space operations.
You will work with subject matter experts across space systems engineering, flight software, manufacturing, and mission operations to continuously improve systems models and digital twins. Applying modern software development practices and technology, you will deliver scalable solutions which enable rapid mission analysis and superior technical decision making. You will be a force-multiplier within the Solutions Architecture team, empowering the rapid development and deployment of next-generation spacecraft, high-speed optical communications networks, and space technology.
The ideal candidate possesses experience developing high-quality, scalable software systems within a small cross-functional team. They enjoy learning from subject matter experts across a broad range of technical domains, and can distill complex systems concepts into concise, elegant solutions. They love to experiment, prototype, and use new tools and technology (including AI) to learn, grow, and improve. Success in this role requires creativity, curiosity, pragmatism, and collaboration.
Key Responsibilities:
Create reusable models, tools, and simulation frameworks that enable engineers to rapidly analyze new mission concepts and payload opportunities
Collaborate with subject-matter experts to model behavior and interactions between spacecraft subsystems, payloads, ground systems, and operational concepts
Develop simulation capabilities supporting optical imaging payloads, RF payloads, communications payloads, ISR missions, and future commercial payload opportunities
Validate digital twins and models against in-space operational data
Develop tools for documentation generation, manual user data analysis, continuous integration testing, and automated data analysis and validation
Provide training for users on usage and best practices of simulation tools
Balance and continuously improve simulation performance and fidelity
Required Skills & Qualifications:
Bachelor's in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical discipline
7+ years of software development experience using modern engineering software development tools and practices
Experience in end-to-end life-cycle delivery of high-quality software, from clarifying high-level user requirements & use-cases, experimentation, development, delivery, integration of customer / user feedback, support and continuous improvement
Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills
Ability to balance simulation fidelity, runtime performance, and schedule & budget constraints
Ability to absorb, synthesize, and communicate complex technical concepts to team members and tool users
Ability to collaborate and work effectively as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary, distributed team
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Bonus Points:
- Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical discipline
Software development experience in C/C++
- Experience with Python strongly preferred
Experience developing modeling, simulation, digital engineering, or mission analysis solutions for aerospace and/or other complex engineering systems
Experience modeling space systems, optical imaging payloads, EO/IR systems, hyperspectral sensors, RF payloads, communications payloads, or remote sensing missions
Familiarity with flight software, digital twins, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, or software-in-the-loop testing
Familiarity with orbital mechanics, space mission operations and/or space mission architectures
Experience leveraging AI, machine learning, data science, or LLM technologies to engineering or technical workflows
Experience developing software integrations for STK, GMAT, Orekit, Basilisk, AGI tools, or similar space systems modeling environments
Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts
Experience with cloud-based simulation environments, high-performance computing, or distributed simulation frameworks
Experience with optimization algorithms, reinforcement learning, computer vision, or autonomous mission planning
Actual total compensation will be determined at the Company’s discretion and is based on a variety of job-related factors, which may include, but are not limited to, relevant knowledge, skills, experience, performance, and education and/or training. The Company encourages all qualified applicants to apply, even if the posted salary range does not align with their expectations, as it does not reflect our total compensation package.
Job Type: This is for a current vacancy
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related technical discipline
- 7+ years of software development experience using modern engineering software development tools and practices
- Experience in end-to-end life-cycle delivery of high-quality software (requirements, experimentation, development, delivery, integration of feedback, support, continuous improvement)
- Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to balance simulation fidelity, runtime performance, and schedule and budget constraints
- Ability to absorb, synthesize, and communicate complex technical concepts to team members and tool users
- Ability to collaborate and work effectively as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary, distributed team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Master's degree in a relevant technical discipline
- Software development experience in C/C++
- Experience with Python
- Experience developing modeling, simulation, digital engineering, or mission analysis solutions for aerospace or complex engineering systems
- Experience modeling space systems, optical imaging payloads, EO/IR systems, hyperspectral sensors, RF or communications payloads, or remote sensing missions
- Familiarity with flight software, digital twins, hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop testing
- Familiarity with orbital mechanics, space mission operations, and space mission architectures
- Experience leveraging AI, machine learning, data science, or LLM technologies in engineering workflows
- Experience developing software integrations for STK, GMAT, Orekit, Basilisk, AGI tools, or similar space systems modeling environments
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts
- Experience with cloud-based simulation environments, high-performance computing, or distributed simulation frameworks
- Experience with optimization algorithms, reinforcement learning, computer vision, or autonomous mission planning
What We Do
Kepler designs, builds, launches, and operates an advanced network of low earth orbit satellites with the ultimate goal of bringing internet to outer space. Today, Kepler serves the needs of earth by connecting machines all around the world using its satellites on orbit and other complementary networks. Through a host of compatible partner equipment we make it easy to use satellite communications in your solution and route data over the best networks.
