Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer, Mission Operations

Katalyst Space Technologies

$140K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree
  • 7+ years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics
  • Proficiency in Python/C++ programming languages
  • Technical knowledge of state estimation, navigation, and trajectory planning
  • Experience with STK, GMAT, Basalisk, or similar software tools
  • Familiarity with Git or a similar version control system
  • Ability to work in high-stress environments and support critical operations

Responsibilities

  • Provide subject matter expertise in Flight Dynamics and orbital mechanics for mission operations
  • Design and analyze spacecraft trajectories with a focus on rendezvous proximity operations
  • Develop, validate, and maintain automation tools for mission operations teams
  • Perform maneuver planning and delta-V optimization for spacecraft
  • Analyze spacecraft navigation performance and state estimation accuracy
  • Create documentation and presentations for proposals and customer events

Benefits

  • Long-term incentives through an Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan
  • Relocation bonus and additional discretionary bonuses
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
Full Job Description
What You'll Do
  • Provide Flight Dynamics and orbital mechanics subject matter expertise for mission operations Design and analyze spacecraft trajectories throughout mission lifecycle, with a focus on rendezvous proximity operations
  • Support ground software and and mission operations teams to develop automation tools Develop, validate, and maintain flight dynamics tools and simulation environments
  • Perform maneuver planning and delta-V optimization
  • Analyze spaceraft navigation performance and state estimation accuracy
  • Help create DRMs for proposals, presentations and other customer facing events.

What We're Looking For

Required
  • A Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree
  • The role requires 7+ years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics
  • Proficiency in Python/C++
  • Technical knowledge of state estimation, navigation, maneuver, trajectory planning, and collision avoidance, orbit determination and operations
  • Experience using STK, GMAT, Basalisk, or similar.
  • Git version control, or an equivalent version control system.
  • Experience supporting critical operations and working/ making decisions in high stress environments.
  • Ability to collaborate with interdciplinary teams in fast paced environments

Your Ideal Background

Preferred
  • Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
  • Experience with rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, inspection, servicing, formation flying, or relative navigation mission design.
  • Experience supporting real-time or near-real-time flight dynamics operations, including maneuver planning, pass preparation, state assessment, anomaly response, and operator decision support.
  • Demonstrated ability to build internal engineering tools, automate analysis workflows, and convert complex astrodynamics problems into usable operational products.


Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $140,000 - $180,000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

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