ispace technologies

Ground Operations and Flight Dynamics Engineer

ispace technologies$81K — $122K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • 2-4 years of experience in astrodynamics, flight dynamics, or mission operations.
  • Strong Python programming skills for developing production-quality code.
  • Solid foundation in astrodynamics, including orbital mechanics and trajectory analysis.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Strong communication skills and teamwork orientation.
  • Willingness to adapt to flexible working hours to accommodate international teams.

Responsibilities

  • Execute trajectory analysis for lunar missions with accuracy.
  • Develop and maintain Python software for flight dynamics tools.
  • Support real-time spacecraft operations and analyze telemetry.
  • Perform Monte Carlo simulations to assess mission performance.
  • Collaborate with international teams to enhance mission planning capabilities.
  • Generate and maintain operational procedures and technical documentation.
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams including GNC and ground stations.

Benefits

  • Competitive medical, vision, and dental coverage with 100% company-paid options.
  • Hybrid work flexibility between remote and in-office.
  • Company-paid RTD EcoPass for commuting.
  • Monthly meal stipend for café use.
  • 18 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 17 paid holidays annually.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
  • Opportunities for domestic and international travel.
  • Participation in a stock options program.
  • Learning and development opportunities including training stipends.
  • Casual team culture with regular social gatherings.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Ground operations & Flight Dynamics Engineer to join our mission operations team in a hybrid role focused on mission planning, flight dynamics analysis, and spacecraft operations execution. This position is central to ensuring mission success through disciplined preparation and reliable operations support during critical mission phases.

You will be an integral member of the operations team-working across mission planning, navigation analysis, and on-console operations support-while contributing to the development and enhancement of flight dynamics systems and planning tools that enable safe and efficient lunar mission execution.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer to grow into a critical operations role within a dynamic, lean team environment where your contributions will directly impact mission success.

Key Responsibilities

  • Execute trajectory analysis for lunar orbital missions to support mission planning and maneuver execution with precision and accuracy.
  • Develop and maintain production-quality Python software for flight dynamics systems and mission planning tools, implementing rigorous testing to ensure reliability of flight-critical code.
  • Support real-time spacecraft operations as an operations analyst, monitoring telemetry, analyzing system performance, and participating in console operations during mission-critical phases including performing orbit determination.
  • Perform Monte Carlo simulations and spacecraft analysis (attitude, thermal, power, orbital parameters) to assess mission performance under various scenarios and inform operational decisions.
  • Collaborate with international engineering teams in Japan and the U.S. to integrate existing flight dynamics capabilities and contribute enhancements to shared mission planning infrastructure.
  • Generate and maintain operations procedures, flight rules, and technical documentation to ensure operational readiness and mission assurance throughout all mission phases.
  • Coordinate with GNC, software, systems, payload, and ground station teams.
  • Develop operational procedures, simulations, and automation tools


Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field. We will consider a combination of relevant experience and education.
  • 2-4 years of relevant experience in astrodynamics, flight dynamics, mission operations
  • Proven organizational skills
  • Good Python programming skills with ability to write production-quality, well-structured code
  • Solid foundation in astrodynamics including orbital mechanics, trajectory analysis, and spacecraft dynamics, orbit determination
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic team environment with limited resources
  • Self-directed work style with ability to navigate ambiguity and take initiative
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to focus and complete tasks under deadline pressure
  • Team-oriented mindset with willingness to learn
  • Willing to have a flexible working hours to facilitate meetings with Luxemburg and Japan's offices
  • Familiarity with GIT


What will Make You Stand Out

  • Proven organizational skills, details-oriented
  • Experience with GMAT, STK and Monte
  • On-console experience/real time operations
  • Experience with orbit determination, estimation theory, least squares methods, or filtering techniques
  • Understanding of software testing principles and practices


$81,000 - $122,000 a year

The salary posted is a targeted range for budget of position. Base compensation can be negotiated and will be commensurate with experience, skills, education, and training.

We welcome candidates with diverse experience levels and evaluate the best fit on an individual basis. Your final job level and salary will be determined based on your skills, experience, and the impact you can bring to the role.

Health Coverage: Competitive medical, vision, and dental plans, with 100% company-paid options available for employees.

Hybrid Work: Flexibility to work remotely and in-office, depending on your role and the stage of our program.

Commuter Perks: Company-paid RTD EcoPass for buses and light rail.

Lunch Perks: Monthly stipend to enjoy meals from our café.

Paid Time Off: 18 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 17 paid holidays.

Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching.

Travel: Opportunities for domestic and international travel.

Stock Options: Participation in our stock option program.

Learning & Development: Ample opportunities to grow, including lunch-and-learns, skills training, and stipends for professional development.

Team Culture: A fun and casual environment with regular team gatherings, including monthly TGIF events to connect and unwind.

#LI-LH1

About ispace technologies

ispace is a private lunar exploration company that designs and develops lunar landers and rovers. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. ispace aims to provide lunar transportation services to support scientific research, exploration and commercial development of the Moon. The company has raised over $195 million in funding to date and has partnerships with several space agencies and private companies.
Learn more about ispace technologies
Size
100 employees
Industry
Founded
2010

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