Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer I
About The Position
Based at Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer I performs tracking, navigation, maneuver, trajectory planning, and collision avoidance design and operations for Earth-orbiting, lunar, and interplanetary missions. The role works with experts across Systems, Ground Software, Electrical, Avionics, Flight Software, Thermal, Propulsion, and GNC engineering, and requires solving complex problems, sometimes under time-critical conditions. The engineer develops and analyzes launch-vehicle and spacecraft trajectories, supports mission design and real-time mission operations, and provides trajectory data and flight dynamics support for mission readiness. The role also contributes to in-house simulation tools and flight dynamics infrastructure.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
- 5+ years of experience in mission design and flight dynamics.
- Understanding of orbital mechanics and orbit determination theory.
- Mission analysis experience with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent.
- Python software development experience.
- Git version control experience or an equivalent version control system.
- Jira software project management experience or equivalent.
- Active Secret clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain one.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
- Monte Carlo numerical simulation experience.
- Orbit determination analysis with ODTK, Orekit, or equivalent.
- Team and/or software project management experience.
- Ability to work on complex problems under time pressure.
- Ability to prioritize tasks in consultation with a range of stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Develop and analyze launch vehicle and spacecraft trajectories, including ascent, orbit insertion, and orbital maneuvers.
- Perform orbital propagation, rendezvous planning, and station-keeping analysis for spacecraft operations.
- Support mission design, including launch window analysis, delta-V budgets, and contingency planning.
- Interface with flight software and GNC teams to validate and optimize guidance profiles.
- Generate and deliver trajectory data products and flight dynamics support for mission readiness reviews.
- Contribute to development of in-house simulation tools and flight dynamics infrastructure.
- Support real-time mission operations, including anomaly response and post-launch data analysis.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution.
- Dental and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
- Other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
