Flight Dynamics Lead Engineer (IRIS2)

Eutelsat; Toulouse; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Eutelsat seeks an experienced Flight Dynamics Lead Engineer to join the S3C team at the Ground Control Centre in Toulouse. The role spans the engineering of operations, from specifications and tools procurement to active orbit management, collision avoidance, and anomaly resolution across the IRIS2 constellation.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team of flight dynamics engineers, coordinate with ground and satellite teams, and ensure robust operational readiness through milestone support and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with a specialization in orbital mechanics or flight dynamics.
• 10+ years hands-on experience in flight dynamics software and operations for orbit determination and space traffic management, preferably in LEO/MEO.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of Flight Dynamics engineers.
• Oversee orbital determination, manoeuvre planning and STM in operations.
• Coordinate with ground element managers and satellite manufacturers on anomalies.
• Define specifications for operability and support ground infrastructure procurement and evaluation.
• Drive continuous improvement in flight dynamics operations and reporting.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Leadership

Orbit determination

Space traffic management

Ground ops coordination

Training design

Education

MSc in Aerospace (orbital mechanics / flight dynamics)

Tools

Flight dynamics tools

Job description

Be part of a new era in communications, transforming connectivity with Eutelsat – the world’s first GEO-LEO integrated global satellite operator.

As a leader in satellite communications, we provide global connectivity solutions - connecting businesses, communities, and governments around the world. We can connect you at on land, at sea and in the air. We also deliver broadcast television channels and packages, transmitting vital news reports around the world.

With Eutelsat You’ll Get To:

• Pioneer the future of Space Technology
• Bring connectivity to remote frontiers
• Collaborate with customer-centric experts
• Embrace cultural diversity in our global team

In a dynamic industry where passion drives our teams to make a difference to become the most trusted partner for global satellite connectivity, you will elevate your skills in a stretching, rewarding, and meaningful environment. At Eutelsat, we’re united by inclusion and diversity, striving for gender balance and social responsibility, on Earth and in Space.

Why Eutelsat?

• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: With colleagues from over 75 countries, we embrace our global DNA and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are proud that one-third of our executive team and 60% of our board are represented by women.
• Ways of Working That Drive Us: As "One Team," we work collaboratively towards shared goals, with customer-centricity, respect, and inclusivity as our guiding principles.
• Sustainability at Our Core: At Eutelsat, sustainability is more than just a word; it’s woven into our strategy. We’re dedicated to balancing social, environmental, and economic growth — both on Earth and in space.
• Work-Life Balance: We offer flexible schedules and hybrid work options to help you balance your personal and professional life. At Eutelsat, we are committed to supporting your well-being and ensuring you have the flexibility you need to succeed both at work and at home.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and analytical Flight Dynamics Lead Engineer to join the S&O department for the IRIS2 programme. Before the start of active operations, you will be heavily involved in the engineering of operations, defining specifications for operability, following on the procurement of the flight dynamics tools and software, participating in program milestones, planning flight dynamics process and procedures, and organising training and qualification campaigns. As the operational phase starts, you will transition into the active operations phase overseeing flight dynamics activities, including orbital determination, manoeuvre planning, space traffic management, and coordinating operations across ground elements.

Who You Are:

• A seasoned space engineer with deep background in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and manoeuvre optimization and strong leadership skills.
• A proactive leader capable of providing oversight and coordination to a multidisciplinary team of flight dynamics engineers.
• Capable of contributing to the flight dynamics operational requirements for the procurement of the flight dynamics tools and software.
• Capable of driving critical decisions regarding collision avoidance, space traffic management, and cross-ground element anomaly resolutions.
• Comfortable transitioning from a system validation and engineering mindset to a real-time, active operations environment.

Which Team You’ll join:

• You will lead a Team of Flight Dynamics engineers in charge of the LEO and MEO IRIS2 constellation
• Will be part of the Satellite Constellation Control Centre (S3C) at the Ground Control Centre in Toulouse.

What You’ll Do:

• Operational Reviews & Milestone Support: Support all Operational Reviews and milestones, focusing particularly on ensuring operational readiness for the start of the operational phase.
• Ground Infrastructure Operability: Support the provision and review of specifications concerning the operability of all relevant ground infrastructure (such as S3C, TT&C, etc.). Participate actively in the operations procurement and technical evaluation of relevant ground infrastructure elements.
• Tool Configuration & Training Design: Contribute to the initial configuration of flight dynamics tools and operational data and prepare/execute training and operations qualification campaigns.
• Team Coordination & Leadership: Provide oversight and leadership to a team of Flight Dynamics engineers, assigning and distributing tasks to ensure smooth execution of daily operations.
• Anomaly Troubleshooting & Cross-Element Coordination: Coordinate closely with other ground element managers and satellite manufacturers in case of anomalies to ensure satisfactory troubleshooting and fleet health analysis.
• Continuous Improvement: Propose necessary improvements to flight dynamics operations and systems to maximize availability and contribute regular activity and operations reports.
• Orbit Determination & Space Traffic Management (STM): Assess and oversee the autonomous and manual computation of manoeuvres, including re‑phasing, station‑keeping, collision avoidance, and passivation/disposal manoeuvres. Perform precise orbit determination of all space assets, generate predictions, monitor collision probabilities, and coordinate with external satellite operators and EUSST/SSA providers.
• Mission Analysis: defines and validates the mission strategy and the orbit profiles, from Launch and separation to deorbiting.

What You’ll Need:

• Master’s degree in Aerospace engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with a specialization in orbital mechanics or flight dynamics.
• 10+ years of hands‑on experience in flight dynamics software and operations for orbit determination and space traffic management protocols, with a strong preference for LEO or MEO constellations.
• Proven experience in leading and coordinating technical engineering teams within space operations environments.
• Working schedule capability for 5d/7 - 8h/d plus on-call support.
• Fluent in English with very good written and verbal communication skills.
• Security Clearance & Nationality: Candidate must be an EU-27 citizen and eligible for an EU security clearance, which is a strict requirement for this role.

Where You’ll Work:

• Base Location: Toulouse at the IRIS2 Control Centre.
• Travel & Relocation: Flexibility for travel and potential temporary relocations to support training, integration, and operations at other EU sites and control centres.

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