Defence Flight Dynamics Engineer

Holt Executive; South Oxfordshire; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Flexible hours

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Annual leave

Relocation assistance

Modern office

Job summary

Holt Executive seeks a Flight Dynamics Engineer to join our aerospace and defence engineering team. You will contribute to advanced flight dynamics capabilities supporting space domain awareness, mission analysis, and space operations in an Agile environment.

You will design, develop and maintain flight dynamics software, collaborate with customers and suppliers, translate requirements into technical specifications, and help shape product direction while delivering high-quality documentation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of commercial flight dynamics experience in space/defence.
• Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC) or higher.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate and maintain flight dynamics software for defence and space applications.
• Translate customer and system requirements into user stories and technical specifications.
• Support bids and customer engagements with technical expertise.
• Help prioritise and define features for future software releases within an Agile (Scrum) environment.
• Produce and maintain high-quality engineering documentation, verification plans and test procedures.

Skills

English communication

Agile/Scrum

Flight dynamics

Requirements management

Education

Master's degree in Astronautics / Aerospace Engineering / Physics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

We are seeking a talented and motivated Flight Dynamics Engineer to join a growing engineering team developing advanced flight dynamics capabilities for defence and space applications. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the design and evolution of sophisticated software products supporting space domain awareness, mission analysis, and space operations.

Working within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, you will help develop innovative flight dynamics solutions, influence product direction, and collaborate with technical specialists to deliver high-quality software and services that meet evolving customer requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, working closely with customers, and contributing to advanced space programmes within an Agile software development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate and maintain flight dynamics software for defence and space applications.
• Support business development activities by providing technical expertise during bids and customer engagements.
• Develop and specify flight dynamics algorithms to support operational software capabilities.
• Review flight dynamics designs, procedures and technical documentation.
• Capture, analyse and refine customer and system requirements, translating them into user stories and technical specifications.
• Help prioritise and define features for future software releases.
• Support system verification, validation, integration and simulation activities.
• Provide technical support to operations teams, troubleshooting issues and recommending best practice.
• Act as the technical interface with external suppliers and development partners where required.
• Work within an Agile (Scrum) environment to deliver software to agreed schedules.
• Produce and maintain high-quality engineering documentation, including requirements, verification plans, test procedures and technical reports.

Essential Experience

• Master's degree in Astronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• At least five years' commercial experience in flight dynamics within the space or defence sectors.
• Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC) or higher.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft flight dynamics.
• Experience with mission analysis and trajectory design.
• Experience using MATLAB or equivalent simulation tools.
• Strong Python programming skills.
• Experience defining and managing technical requirements.
• Understanding of the full software development lifecycle, including design, development, integration, testing and maintenance.
• Experience working alongside spacecraft operations or mission operations teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of ECSS standards.
• Commercial software engineering experience.
• Experience with commercial flight dynamics software tools.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Office applications.

What's on Offer

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements including 9/75 work pattern.
• Opportunity to work on challenging space and defence programmes using advanced technologies.
• Collaborative, supportive engineering environment.
• Career development and training opportunities.
• Private healthcare.
• Life assurance and long-term sickness cover.
• Generous annual leave entitlement plus public holidays.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Modern office facilities and regular team social events.

If you're passionate about orbital mechanics, spacecraft operations and developing software that supports the future of space and defence, we'd like to hear from you.