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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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Spacecraft Simulation Software Engineer to contribute to multi-physics, high-fidelity spacecraft and constellation simulation software. This is a 3-month temporary engagement with potential conversion based on performance and business need.

• Write well-structured, efficient code using modern C++ (C++17/C++20) with attention to performance and maintainability.
• Contribute to libraries modeling spacecraft subsystems including:
  • 6DOF rigid-body dynamics and environmental perturbations (gravity gradient, solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag, magnetic torques)
  • Thermal modeling (conduction, radiation, solar heating)
  • Attitude dynamics and control system simulation
  • Propulsion system models (thrusters, tanks, mass properties)
  • Power generation and distribution (solar arrays, batteries, loads)
  • Sensor and actuator models (reaction wheels, star trackers, gyros, magnetometers, thrusters)
• Help implement coupled-physics algorithms capturing subsystem interactions (thermal-structural, power-thermal, propulsion-dynamics).
• Assist in developing and testing time-stepping algorithms, solvers, and integration schemes for real-time and faster-than-real-time simulation.
• Maintain and extend libraries that provide multi-language APIs (Python, C++) used across the organization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams that use simulation APIs to plan missions, validate algorithms, and perform trade-space analyses.
• Participate in code reviews, architectural discussions, and sprint planning while learning and applying software quality standards.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Exposure to C++ (or a similar compiled language) via coursework, internships, research, or projects; Python familiarity is a plus.
• Foundational knowledge of object-oriented development, testing practices, data structures, algorithms, and design patterns.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and eagerness to learn quickly.
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

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Preferred Skills & Experience

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

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Compensation & Location

• Base salary (as listed in source): Denver: $75,000; Long Beach: $80,000. For roles based in Colorado, the Denver salary applies.
• Work location: Successful candidates should be located near Denver (Federal Heights/Denver metro) or Colorado Springs. This is a hybrid role with some on-site work required.
• Physical & work-environment considerations: typical office/hybrid engineering environment; may include sitting, focused desk work, and occasional lifting or movement related to testing and integration.
• Clearance and export-control eligibility: To comply with ITAR and U.S. government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
• Duration: 3-month temporary engagement with potential conversion based on performance and business needs.

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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.