Senior Scientist SDA, TS/SCI with CI Poly - $180K-$210K + 15% 401k at Millennial Software Solutions Inc – Chantilly, Virginia

About Millennial Software:

Millennial Software is revolutionizing the landscape of security and defense by leveraging our core competencies in software development, automation, DevSecOps, and machine learning.

• We are an employee-owned company, every employee receives equity in the company
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents
• Ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision
• 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits
• 15% 401(k) company contribution
• 30 days of PTO/holidays
• Generous training budget
• Paid Paternal and Maternal Leave
• Business development / growth incentives
• Top notch company swag

About the Position:

Millennial Software is seeking a Senior Scientist to join our team supporting a Government customer on national security efforts and focused on SDA products and program development. You’ll develop algorithms, metrics, and software to assist Orbital Analysts by automating sensor tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination of space-object tracking data. You will apply orbital mechanics and astrodynamics to real-time operational challenges such as orbit determination, catalog maintenance, maneuver assessment, and collision avoidance. Working in Linux-based environments, you’ll build scripts and services to monitor and improve data processing pipelines, and you’ll partner with customers and stakeholders to deliver mission-critical outcomes.

Essential Functions:

• Develop algorithms and performance metrics that support Orbital Analysts’ daily SSA workflows (e.g., catalog maintenance, orbital analysis, conjunction/collision avoidance).
• Develop algorithms and software that automate and enhance sensor data tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination.
• Build and maintain software/scripts to automate, monitor, and improve data processing pipelines related to space operations.
• Apply orbital mechanics and astrodynamics to operational problems including orbit determination and maintenance, orbit decay, and orbital maneuvers for station keeping and change of station.
• Define validation approaches and quantify algorithm performance; document assumptions, limitations, and results for operational use.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to refine requirements, demonstrate capabilities, and ensure mission outcomes.
• Contribute technical ideas that influence SDA product and program features, roadmap, and strategy.
• Serve as a technical expert and key contributor to space surveillance technology development.
• Execute all responsibilities in alignment with core values, mission, and purpose.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 10+ years of space-related experience involving Space Situational Awareness, satellite catalog maintenance, orbital analysis, and collision avoidance; includes real-time analysis and solution of technical and operational problems.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics and astrodynamics.
• Understanding of space object tracking sensors, networks, and data, including capabilities and limitations.
• Ability to apply orbital mechanics/astrodynamics to operations, including orbit determination and maintenance; general and special perturbation-based data and formats; orbit decay; and orbital maneuvers for station keeping/change of station.
• Familiarity with Linux-based operating systems, particularly Red Hat and/or Fedora.
• Ability to develop and implement algorithms in software/scripts using Python, MATLAB, or other and produce clear technical documentation.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Ability to work on-site at one of the following locations - Virginia: Fairfax, Chantilly, McLean, Sterling, or Colorado: Colorado Springs.

Nice to have:

• Experience with sensor tasking workflows, operations tooling, or real-time/near-real-time processing environments.
• Experience with modern software engineering practices (Git workflows, code reviews, automated testing, CI/CD).
• Experience with data engineering/stream processing and observability (logging/metrics/tracing) in mission systems.
• Experience with cloud, containers, or scalable deployment patterns (AWS/Azure/GCP, Docker/Kubernetes)

Millennial Software Solutions Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.