About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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About the role

Confidential Client is hiring an entry-level Software Engineer I focused on spacecraft simulation. This is a 3-month temporary contract based in the Denver area (hybrid), with the opportunity to convert to regular employment based on performance and business need. You will help develop high-fidelity, multi-physics simulation libraries that model spacecraft dynamics, thermal behavior, power, propulsion, sensors, and control systems.

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What You’ll Do

• Write clear, efficient C++ (C++17/C++20) code with attention to performance and maintainability.
• Contribute to simulation libraries for 6DOF rigid-body dynamics and environmental perturbations.
• Implement thermal models (conduction, radiation, solar heating) and coupled-physics interactions.
• Build attitude dynamics and control-system simulations and models for propulsion and power subsystems.
• Implement sensor and actuator models (reaction wheels, star trackers, gyros, magnetometers, thrusters).
• Assist in time-stepping algorithms, solvers, and integration schemes for real-time and faster-than-real-time execution.
• Maintain libraries with APIs used by other teams (Python and C++).
• Participate in code reviews, architecture discussions, and sprint planning while following software quality standards.

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What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related discipline — or equivalent practical experience.
• Exposure to C++ (or another compiled language) via coursework, internships, personal projects, or research. Python familiarity is a plus.
• Foundational knowledge of object-oriented design, data structures, algorithms, testing practices, and software design patterns.
• Strong problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and eagerness to learn in a team environment.
• U.S. citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance (required for ITAR and certain government contracts).

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Preferred Skills & Experience

• Internship, co-op, research, or project experience with physics-based modeling and simulation (spacecraft dynamics, thermal systems, or control algorithms).
• Coursework or project exposure to numerical methods, solvers, and integration techniques.
• Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems: ADCS, GNC, thermal control, EPS, and propulsion.
• Understanding of coordinate frames and transformations (ECI, ECEF, body frame) and quaternion math.
• Introductory knowledge of orbital mechanics and perturbation forces.
• Experience with version control (Git); exposure to CI/CD pipelines is a plus.

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Compensation & Contract

• Base salary (Denver): $75,000 per year.
• Base salary (Long Beach): $80,000 per year (other locations listed for informational purposes).
• Employment type: 3-month contract (CONTRACTOR) with potential to convert; role may be classified as FULL_TIME if converted.

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Location & Additional Requirements

• Work location: Candidates should be located near Denver or Colorado Springs. This role is hybrid and requires some on-site work.
• Physical demands and work environment: Expect standard office/engineering environment conditions; may include periods of sitting, focused desk work, and collaboration in lab or team spaces.
• Export control: To comply with ITAR and related regulations, applicants must meet eligibility requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible for required Department of State authorizations).

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.