Orbital Analyst

Location

HIGH WYCOMBE MILITARY, Naphill (External Site)

United Kingdom

Hybrid

Orbital Analyst – Space Command, RAF High Wycombe (Permanent, Fulltime, 37hrs)

Raytheon UK is a leader in defence and aerospace technology. We foster innovation, talent, and a culture of excellence. Join our team and help shape national security while advancing technology and creating a safer, connected world.

The Raytheon NORSS team is looking for an Orbital Analyst to work within its operational Orbital Analyst team, performing SSA and SDA duties to support the safety of civil and commercial satellite operations. Working with national and international government stakeholders, the Orbital Analyst will monitor UK‑licenced objects and critical spacecraft, providing timely technical analysis and outputs to support decision making of key stakeholders.

This role sits within Raytheon UK’s Space & Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission area and reports to the Raytheon NORSS Orbital Analyst Operations Lead.

The day‑to‑day duties include ensuring the safety of UK‑licenced and critical spacecraft involved in high‑interest events by monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on key space events (such as re‑entering objects, collision avoidance activities and fragmentations of objects). It offers the opportunity to develop new astrodynamics software capabilities and analytical tools in support of UK‑led Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) programmes. An understanding of astrodynamics, SSA/SST/SDA topics, and programming experience are required.

Work can be based from RAF High Wycombe or home with the ability to commute. Occasional travel across the UK may be required.

Lead and provide technical expertise on Customer programmes, internal R&D projects, and bid‑writing activities in the realm of SDA. Coordinate development of SDA/SSA tools and ensure implementation of operational processes, procedures and systems. Define technical and security requirements, performance standards for integrating new SDA sensors into the UK network. Support customers and partner organisations with technical advice on evolving SDA capabilities, infrastructure, software and human assets, and engage with global partners and institutions.

• Relevant experience in SST, SSA and space systems with understanding of Space Weather, SSA and SST modelling and analysis.
• Understanding of software development life cycles, workflow procedures and architectures to design, develop, test and validate bespoke SSA tools.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to prepare detailed reports and present as required.
• Independent and team work ability, collaborative and adaptable.
• Broad understanding of data analysis and analytical software utilisation.
• Experience developing automated scripts and/or simple software products.
• Effective time management and capacity to manage multiple work streams.
• Willing and eligible to hold SC security clearance and obtain DV clearance if required.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (physics, mathematics, engineering or science).

• Extensive SDA/SSA/SST domain experience and expertise in collision avoidance analysis, orbit determination, fragmentation and re‑entry analysis.
• Technical expertise in the capability and tasking of sensors for operational collision avoidance, orbit determination, fragmentation and re‑entry analysis across all orbital regimes, including radar, optical and laser ranging systems.
• Understanding of the end‑to‑end chain of ground‑based and space‑based SST sensor development.
• Confidence in providing technical demonstrations to internal and external parties.
• Capability to lead a team effectively and professionally to deliver results.
• Strong understanding of celestial mechanics, astrodynamics and atmospheric physics.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages:
  Fortran, C/C++, Java, Matlab, Python, SQL, Java‑script; experience in developing and utilizing SST/SSA simulations.

• Competitive salaries.
• 25 days holiday plus statutory public holidays, plus opportunity…