Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer I - Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. Its Space Systems team develops spacecraft, payloads, and components for a range of missions, including national security and defense initiatives. 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 specialists across Systems, Ground Software, Electrical, Avionics, Flight Software, Thermal, Propulsion, and GNC engineering, and involves solving complex problems, sometimes under time-critical conditions. The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Compensation includes a base salary range of $132,000–$220,000 USD for California, with level and salary determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Company stock is also part of the total compensation package.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
At least 5 years of experience in mission design and flight dynamics.
Understanding of orbital mechanics and orbit-determination theory.
Experience with mission-analysis tools such as STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent.
Python software development experience.
Experience with Git or an equivalent version-control system.
Experience with Jira or equivalent software project-management tools.
Active Secret clearance, with the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
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 experience with ODTK, Orekit, or equivalent.
Team and/or software project-management experience.
Ability to work through 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 company HSA 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.