R&D Verification Engineer - Aerospace & Astrodynamics (Exton, PA)

Summary / Role Purpose

The R&D Verification Engineer joins the Digital Mission Engineering business unit to perform software testing and quality assurance on industry-leading aerospace simulation tools including Systems Tool Kit (STK), Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK), and Test & Evaluation Tool Kit (TETK). This role is ideal for an aerospace engineer with a strong foundation in astrodynamics, who is passionate about ensuring mission-critical software tools are robust, accurate, and aligned with user needs.

The engineer will assess functionality, performance, and usability of complex space and defense modeling tools used by engineers, analysts, and mission planners. This includes verifying orbital mechanics models, satellite mission simulations, maneuver planning, and space situational awareness capabilities. The role also contributes to internal test infrastructure, automated testing processes, and tool development.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and execute test plans for orbital mechanics and aerospace mission simulations
• Apply technical expertise and engineering background to test design and decision making
• Perform functional, regression, performance, and API testing in both manual and automated environments
• Collaborate with developers and domain experts to validate astrodynamics algorithms and mission modeling features
• Automate test activities at the application and systems levels, focusing on space mission use cases
• Expand test coverage of aerospace-specific functionality (e.g., orbit propagation, satellite tracking, maneuver planning)
• Monitor test results, investigate failures, and perform root cause analysis
• Support quality initiatives and ensure product requirements and industry standards are met

Minimum Education/Certification Requirements and Experience

• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Astronautics, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Coursework or experience in astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, or space systems
• Programming experience in Python, C#, and/or Java
• Understanding of satellite operations, mission design, or orbit determination concepts
• Willing and able to work with both Windows and Linux environments
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and analytical skills

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience with STK, ODTK, or similar aerospace modeling tools
• Familiarity with automated test frameworks such as NUnit or JUnit
• Experience with CI/CD practices and version control tools
• Scripting experience in Perl or other scripting languages
• Interest in advancing the quality and reliability of aerospace simulation software

Rewards and Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive range of health, wellness, and financial benefits to cater to your needs. Our total rewards include both monetary and non-monetary offerings. Your recruiter will provide more details about the salary range and benefits during the hiring process.

At Ansys, part of Synopsys, we want talented people of every background to feel valued and supported to do their best work. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, military veteran status, or disability.