Defence Flight Dynamics Engineer

Astroscale Holdings Inc.; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days holiday

Life insurance

Private healthcare

Relocation allowance considered

State of the art office and cleanroom

Job summary

Astroscale UK is seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to contribute to the development of flight dynamics products for space control. You will work with a skilled team to design, implement and validate software that integrates with our in-house flight dynamics suite.

The role involves producing algorithms, participating in SCRUM, supporting bids, and providing guidance to customers on best practices. A Master’s degree and 5+ years in space/defence are expected, with UK SC clearance or eligibility.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Astronautics or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years in commercial Space or defence flight dynamics.
• UK SC clearance or eligible.
• Strong knowledge of orbital mechanics and flight dynamics.
• Experience with MATLAB and Python.
• Experience with Mission Analysis and requirements definition.
• Fluent in English; able to interact with spacecraft operations engineers.
• Software product development lifecycle experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate and maintain flight dynamics software for defence missions.
• Support business development and bid activities for space control.
• Specify flight dynamics algorithms for space control software.
• Review design and procedure documentation.
• Capture requirements and convert to use cases and stories.
• Down select features for ongoing versions.
• Participate in ground segment verification and testing.
• Support Mission System Test and simulations.
• Assist Operations team with issue resolution.
• Interface with external suppliers as Product Owner or Technical Officer.
• Follow SCRUM and maintain schedule.
• Produce product documentation (requirements, V&V plan, tests).

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Flight dynamics

MATLAB

Python

Mission Analysis

Requirements definition

English (fluent)

Space/defence experience

UK SC clearance

Software development lifecycle

Education

Master's degree in Astronautics

Tools

Windows

Linux

Job description

Astroscale UK is seeking a talented Flight Dynamics Engineer to play a key role in the development and evolution of flight dynamics products focused on space control. Working alongside existing flight dynamics team members, the commercial defence team and Chief Engineer to ensure that products and services are developed to address customer needs.

The core of the product is the software which will integrate directly with our in-house flight dynamics suite. The projects will also involve providing thought leadership, training and advice to customers. The product will continue to evolve, in line with the developing needs of our customers. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, influencing product direction, and contributing to cutting-edge space domain awareness and control programmes within an Agile development environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate and maintain new software elements of the Flight Dynamics systems for operating missions for defence customers.
• Support business development and bid activities associated with space control
• Develop and specify the required flight dynamics algorithms for the space control software
• Review all flight dynamics design and procedure related documentation.
• Requirements capture, definition, tailoring, analysis and conversion to use cases and stories.
• Down selection of features to be included in ongoing versions of the product
• When the mission includes the space control product:
  • Participate and or support the wider Ground Segment verification, validation and integration.
  • Support on the Mission System Test and or Simulation campaigns.
  • Support the Operations team to resolve technical issues and providing advice on best practice.
• Interface with the external suppliers’ teams acting as a Product Owner or Technical Officer and provide support to the development team during the ground segment development phase
• Follow the Agile (SCRUM) methodology to ensure implementation of the requirements and maintain the schedule
• Produce and maintain product documentation to good standard including requirements, verification and validation plan, test procedures, test reports, etc.

Essential Skills

• Master’s degree in Astronautics, or other relevant subject, or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5 years of commercial Space, or defence, flight dynamics experience
• Current holder, or eligible to obtain, UK SC level clearance or higher.
• Excellent knowledge of orbital mechanics
• Excellent knowledge of flight dynamics systems
• Experience in using simulation software MATLAB or similar
• Experience in using Python software
• Experience with Mission Analysis
• Experience with requirements definition
• Fluent in spoken and written English language
• Operations experience and ability to interact with spacecraft operations engineers.
• Knowledge in project life cycle and acceptance procedures.
• Software product development experience, (requirement, design, development, integration & testing, deployment, maintenance)

Desirable skills

• Knowledge of ECSS standards.
• 5+ years of industry experience in software development and software engineering.
• Knowledge of Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Flight Dynamic Systems
• Knowledge of Windows and Office
• Basic knowledge of Linux

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
• Optional 9/75 working pattern
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance considered
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space. The company delivers a variety of innovative and scalable on-orbit servicing solutions, including life extension, refurbishment, upgrades, in-situ space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal. Since its first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, relocate, remove, and extend the life of spacecraft, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked. Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has a global presence with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Israel. Find out more about Astroscale at www.astroscale.com.

At Astroscale UK we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale UK is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.