Mission Design · Mission Design
Astrodynamics & Flight Dynamics Engineer
Model orbits, conjunctions, station keeping, constellation geometry, maneuver planning and end-of-life disposal.
Role mandate
Build the capability for the era ahead.
This team member will combine subject-matter depth, sound judgment and disciplined execution to move the mission from architecture to measurable results.
Responsibilities
- Own the Mission Design workstream for Astrodynamics & Flight Dynamics Engineer and deliver measurable technical or operating outcomes.
- Develop subsystem models, performance margins and design trades tied to mission requirements.
- Plan analysis and testing for nominal, off-nominal and end-of-life conditions.
- Coordinate interfaces with spacecraft bus, payload, software, operations and launch teams.
Required qualifications
- Relevant engineering experience in GNC, flight dynamics, propulsion, thermal or mechanical spacecraft systems.
- Proficiency with analysis, simulation and verification methods used in the discipline.
- Strong understanding of margins, failure modes and configuration control.
Preferred experience
- Experience with spacecraft development, launch integration or on-orbit operations.
- Advanced degree or equivalent depth in the applicable engineering discipline.
Scientific and technical requirements
Physics, mathematics and engineering foundations
- Two-body and perturbed orbital mechanics, numerical integration, estimation, optimization, conjunction analysis and constellation geometry.
- Vector calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, probability and covariance propagation.
Mathematics and working equations
- r̈ = −μr/r³ + apert; specific energy ε = v²/2 − μ/r and angular momentum h = r × v.
- Kepler: T = 2π√(a³/μ); vis-viva: v² = μ(2/r − 1/a).
- Hohmann transfer Δv values follow circular-orbit velocity differences; operational work adds perturbations, constraints and finite burns.
- Collision probability derives from relative-state covariance in the encounter plane; never treat miss distance alone as risk.
Hardware, flight and infrastructure components
- GNSS receiver and onboard propagator, tracking observations, maneuver planning service, conjunction-data messages and propulsion/attitude interfaces.
Software, laboratory and analysis tools
- NASA GMAT, STK or validated mission-analysis software; Python/MATLAB; orbit-determination, covariance and Monte Carlo toolchains.
Verification and mission skills
- Validate force models, ephemerides, frame/time conversions, maneuver execution error, covariance realism, station-keeping and disposal compliance.
Authoritative technical references
The hiring sequence will follow operating milestones and project requirements. The position may begin through advisory, consulting or project-based work before moving into a full-time role.
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