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Salary: USD 150,000 - 190,000 / annual
Apolink is building the first backward-compatible data relay constellation in low Earth orbit, enabling efficient data aggregation and relay through hybrid RF-optical inter-satellite link architecture for commercial, federal, and defense applications.
In this founding role, you will design the constellation architecture and own orbital analysis end-to-end, from modeling and trade studies through maneuver planning and on-orbit operations. You'll work directly with bus, propulsion, and optical/RF link teams to translate orbital analysis into hardware and mission requirements.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design and own constellation architecture (plane count, altitude, inclination, LTAN, phasing) traded against coverage, launch cost, and ISL geometry
- Run SLA-grade coverage analysis on link-closing access, including handover continuity, window durations, gap statistics, and percent-time-covered for target orbits
- Collaborate with RF team to close coverage and access analysis against real RF link budgets (range, elevation, off-boresight angle, Doppler, slant-path losses) rather than geometric visibility alone
- Model ISL relative geometry between constellation members and customer spacecraft, including range, angular constraints, and handover timing
- Develop Δv and propellant budgets for drag makeup, station-keeping, collision avoidance, and end-of-life disposal; provide thruster and propellant sizing inputs
- Build and maintain orbit determination, ephemeris, and maneuver-planning pipeline; own conjunction screening and CDM response through Space-Track and commercial SSA providers
- Provide orbital parameters and deorbit analysis for commercial FCC and ITU filings
This is a hands-on role starting with the upcoming paired demonstration satellite mission and scaling to the full LEO relay constellation.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Direct, hands-on experience with LEO mission or constellation design (orbit selection, SSO design, station-keeping for flown or flight-bound spacecraft)
- 4+ years in applied astrodynamics, mission design, or flight dynamics
- BS/MS/PhD in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, or physics, or equivalent demonstrated depth
- Proficiency with at least one of: GMAT, STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, Orekit, Tudat, or Basilisk; strong Python
- Solid perturbation modeling: J2 and higher-order gravity, atmospheric drag (NRLMSISE-00, JB2008), and SRP
- Capacity to exercise independent technical judgment as the orbital authority and be accountable for it
PREFERRED:
- Constellation, formation-flying, or relative-motion experience
- Flight dynamics operations experience (maneuver execution, OD, conjunction response)
- Experience planning electric or cold-gas propulsion maneuvers
Note: Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State per ITAR regulations.
