Senior Engineer - Flight Dynamics

Space42; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 280,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Wellbeing initiatives

Exclusive UAE discounts

Job summary

Space42 in the United Arab Emirates is seeking an experienced Flight Dynamics Engineer to oversee routine and contingency operations for GEO and LEO satellites, including orbit maintenance, manoeuvre planning and anomaly response.

You will carry out daily flight dynamics operations, provide detailed analyses and reports, and work with cross‑functional teams to improve automation. The role requires strong communication, 4+ years of experience, and a proactive training mindset.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Maths, Physics or related engineering.
• Minimum 4 years as Flight Dynamics Engineer in satellite operations.

Responsibilities

• Carry out daily flight dynamics operations including manoeuvre planning and orbit determination.
• Provide reports on analyses to ensure health and safety of satellite fleet.
• Support Engineering Team and other departments with Flight Dynamics.
• Improve automation and workflows in flight dynamics processes.
• Support software validation and end-to-end testing.
• Provide on-site support for aborted manoeuvres and anomalies; participate in on-call rotation.
• Provide training on Flight Dynamics principles and create training materials.
• Offer subject-matter expertise for LEO constellation operations.

Skills

Flight Dynamics

Orbit Determination

Manoeuvre Planning

Python

STK

CCSDS

Data Analysis

Ground Station Ops

Technical Reporting

On-Call Support

Education

BSc Aerospace, Maths, Physics or Related Engineering

Tools

STK

CCSDS

Job description

Job Description

To perform Flight Dynamics operations and analysis to provide routine/non-routine spacecraft operations support and mission planning to assure efficient and continuous 24x7 spacecraft fleet operation for both GEO and LEO satellites. The role is responsible for orbit determination, manoeuvre planning, conjunction assessment, mission analysis, operational tool development, reporting and technical support during routine and contingency spacecraft operations.

Responsibilities

• Carry out all flight dynamics daily operations including optimal spacecraft fleet manoeuvre planning, orbit determination & orbital events prediction.
• Provide reports for all Flight Dynamics analyses necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Space42 satellite fleet, to include close approach analysis, remaining propellant computations and Orbital Manoeuvre Life (OML) predictions.
• Provide Flight Dynamics support to the Technical Engineering Team and other departments, as required.
• Perform the system and process improvement of flight dynamics daily operations ensuring compliance with the department’s standard operational policies, processes, procedures and controls so that all relevant procedural/ legislative requirements are fulfilled. Improve the automation workflows.
• Support flight dynamics software validation and end to end testing.
• Support the orbital aspects of spacecraft operations, ensuring the provision of on-site support for aborted manoeuvres and anomalies. Participate in the on-call rotation to support satellite operations.
• Provide training of Flight Dynamics subjects within Space42 at all levels. Ensure there are adequate training materials and trainers competent to deliver the training.
• Provide subject matter expertise for LEO constellation operations, including orbit maintenance, formation management, collision avoidance, re-entry prediction, and operational performance monitoring.
• Perform mission analysis for future satellite mission such as constellation design, disposal planning, manoeuvre strategy and operational concept development.
• Develop internal tools for automation, operational data analysis and reporting.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• BSc Aerospace, Maths, Physics or Related Engineering.

Experience

• Minimum of 4 years as Flight Dynamics Engineer in one or more Satellite Operations companies.

Skills

Time management

• Prioritizes assigned tasks appropriately.
• Allocates time appropriately to assigned tasks.
• Carries out assigned tasks efficiently.

Analytical

• Systematically analyzes information or a situation to ascertain any inconsistencies or improvement opportunities.

Initiative

• Challenges the ongoing thinking and takes concrete steps to explore ideas.
• Anticipates the needs of planning for non-routine Operations without the need to wait for obvious instructions.

Reflective analysis

• Evaluates events to ask if Operational activities could have been conducted better.
• Considers points of views from stakeholders. Learns from past events and applies lessons learned to future activities.

Teamwork

• Create and maintain good working relationships.
• Works collaboratively with team members.
• Provides some constructive feedback to peers and management.

Communication

• Able to effectively represent team, department or company in presentations or meetings (internal and external).
• Able to communicate complex messages clearly (written and oral) with managers and colleagues.

Problem solving

• Demonstrates common sense and logic to solve problems within scope of functional role.
• Anticipates problems and implements preventative measures.
• Knows when to escalation problems/issues.

Technical Requirements

• Design and Use of Proprietary Flight Dynamics Software
• Station keeping planning
• Orbit determination & manoeuvre calibration
• Orbital events prediction
• Propellant accounting
• Other regular nominal activities
• Contingency activities
• Good understanding of Orbital Dynamics Theory:
• Different Satellite Orbits
• Satellite Manoeuvres
• Orbit Determination
• Space Weather
• Good understanding of Spacecraft Operations & Design:
• Satellite subsystems
• Telemetry, commanding and ranging
• Communication & transmission security
• Good understanding of Ground Station Operations & Design:
• Ground station overview Tracking data
• Design & Use of Flight Dynamics Tools, Analysis and Reporting:
• Close approach analysis with orbital debris
• Sun outage & ephemeris data preparation
• Propellant Gauging & Orbital Manoeuvre Life (OML) estimation
• Data processing and presentation
• Satellite & Orbit Visualization e.g. STK
• Knowledge of CCSDS standards
• LEO nominal and contingency operations:
• Orbit maintenance
• COLA Manoeuvres preparation
• Contingency Operations
• Good understanding of Mathematics & Physics
• Algebra
• Trigonometry & geometry
• Calculus
• Dynamics & differential equations
• Statistics
• Classical mechanics
• Thermodynamics
• Presentation and Training Skills
• Presentation of technical results in written or verbal form
• Presentation Skills/Able to explain complex concepts to various levels .Able to provide training on Flight Dynamics principles
• Able to provide training on Flight Dynamics principles
• Programming
• Understanding of coding practices
• Data Processing and analysis:Python
• Git and version control
• Testing
• APIs

Our Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation packages and comprehensive medical insurance to support you and your family.
• Wellbeing-focused initiatives and resources, designed to enhance your personal and professional life.
• Access to exclusive discount programs, offering savings across various lifestyle and leisure experiences across the UAE.

What Makes a Great Fit

If you are performance-driven and possess an inquisitive mind with the agility to navigate ambiguity, you will thrive here. At the heart of the Space42 community is a bias for action and a passion for developing innovative, efficient space services through AI-driven smart solutions that drive technological advancements and create a better tomorrow.

About Us

Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) is a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities to enlighten the Earth from space. Established in 2024 following the successful merger between Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42’s global reach allows it to address the rapidly evolving needs of its customers in governments, enterprises, and communities.