GNSS Orbit Determination Scientist

NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS), located in Silver Spring Maryland, is responsible for maintaining the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), a consistent coordinate system that defines latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity, orientation, and shoreline throughout the United States and is designed to meet our nation's economic, social, and environmental needs. It is used for all geodetic positioning and mapping activities carried out by U.S. civilian government agencies and is used by the commercial surveying and mapping industry as well. NGS is one of the founding members of the International GNSS Service (IGS). Since 1994, NGS has been computing and submitting daily cm-level GPS orbits to the IGS, which then makes a combined product for use in precise geodetic positioning applications around the world. Nowadays, besides just GPS, there are other additional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as: GLONASS (Russia), GALILEO (European Union), and BEIDOU (China). NGS is in the process of developing its next-generation orbit determination software to compute precise orbits for all four of these GNSS constellations. This job opening is a key part of that effort.

Will serve as a Senior Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) orbit determination scientist responsible for the evaluation of observations from global GNSS tracking networks, and for estimating satellite and ground positions, satellite clock parameters, various types of inter-system biases, tropospheric delay parameters, and Earth Orientation Parameters. Will plan and coordinate the development of Precise Orbit Determination (POD) software; analyze and manage data, results, and findings. Will apply an expert knowledge of orbital mechanics, satellite engineering principles, and reference frames to compute cm-level GNSS orbits, which in turn will support the improvement of NGS' future geometric and geopotential datums. Responsible for learning the operation of the existing NGS orbit estimation software (ORB and PAGES) and participating in the development of new GNSS POD software; develop and implement orbit and ground station analysis tools for observational data analysis. Will refine future GNSS orbits, clocks, and other related products to contribute towards the activities of the International GNSS Service (IGS).

Demonstrated knowledge monitoring and/or analyzing satellite characteristics (hardware & software). Demonstrated knowledge in scientific or statistical analysis. Demonstrated knowledge with the following is helpful: MS Windows office applications, UNIX, UNIX scripting, FORTRAN, C, C++, Python, or MATLAB. 

Must be a US Citizen or a Permanent Resident and be able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to enter the applicable government facility. 

MS in Aerospace Engineering, Astrophysics, Mathematics, related discipline, or equivalent. PhD preferred.

Submit resume to ERT’s Career Opportunities Web Page at: https://chu.tbe.taleo.net/chu04/ats/careers/searchResults.jsp?org=ERT&cws=1

ERT is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer - All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.