Departmental Overview The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.
Position Summary The Mission Operations Team at the Space Sciences Lab operates multiple NASA science spacecraft now, and is funded to operate additional ones through this decade, and beyond. We currently operate spacecraft in Low Earth orbit, Lunar Orbit, at Earth-Sun Lagrange distance, and Mars, all AT THE SAME TIME. We are looking for a new Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to help us with the essential products we need to (among other things) ensure that our spacecraft get to where they need, and maneuver as appropriate to collect science data for our important missions. The person we hire will provide spacecraft navigation and mission design for our existing and upcoming missions. You will work in a small and nimble team on multiple missions and proposals at once, and on a timescale where you will get to see your work's impact.
Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: 01/27/2026.
Responsibilities - Provides mission operations support for ongoing space missions.
- Generates and analyzes orbit and attitude determination solutions and mission planning products.
- Provides spacecraft maneuver planning, analysis, and calibration for missions with propulsive capabilities.
- Designs, develops, and evaluates complex flight dynamics and navigation systems used in the operations of national space science assets.
- Performs complex analysis on a variety of flight dynamic and orbital mechanics problems, including the definition of related mission requirements, for current and future space science missions.
- Collaborates with other aerospace engineering specialists, and outside collaborators, to develop and maintain the flight dynamics ground systems.
- Consults and collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs) and other aerospace engineering specialists in the development of new mission concepts.
- Responds to spacecraft anomalies, from the perspective of the flight dynamics specialty, to assist in the investigation and recovery operations.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications - Thorough skills in the design, development, and navigation of spacecraft trajectories.
- Demonstrated proficiency (specialist) in at least two of the following: spacecraft navigation, trajectory determination, or mission design.
- Experienced user of either Mission Analysis, Operations, and Navigation Toolkit Environment (MONTE), General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), Copernicus, or other related mission design and trajectory analysis systems.
- Thorough knowledge of Python, MATLAB, LINUX, VS Code and GitLab.
- Past systems knowledge of other engineering specialties (e.g. Propulsion, Avionics, etc.) involved in the design and development of spacecraft.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and present information to technical and nontechnical personnel at various levels in the organization.
- Must be able to travel up to 5% as needed for work events.
- Must be able to travel within the US to support in-person meetings and work on EAR programs.
- Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience with NASA missions.
- Proficiency InfluxDB and MySQL for data management and Grafana for building monitoring dashboards.
- Post-graduate level course work in related area.
Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $150,000.00 - $165,000.00. The full pay scale for this job classification is $124,700.00 - $240,900.00.
- This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
- This is an exempt monthly-paid position.
How to Apply - To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information - This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research and Public Service Professionals, represented by the UAW.
- This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
