Vega and Space Rider Flight Dynamics Engineer

European Space Agency - ESA; Frascati; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA's Vega and Space Rider Flight Dynamics Engineer will join the GNC division at ESRIN/Frascati to support trajectory analyses and launcher performance. The role involves coordination with the Vega launch system teams, development of flight dynamics tools, and participation in mission analyses across Vega-C projects.

Applicants should hold a master’s in engineering and have several years in space engineering, with emphasis on trajectory, optimization, and mission analysis.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering; 4 years of space engineering experience preferred.
• Experience in flight dynamics, trajectory analysis, and launcher systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead trajectory analyses for Vega missions and assist in mission planning.
• Support GNC system development with trajectory optimization and closed-loop guidance.
• Assess payload compatibility with the Vega launcher family in collaboration with the project team.
• Contribute to Vega-C mission analyses from feasibility to final analyses.
• Perform trajectory propagation, collision avoidance studies, and post-flight analyses when required.
• Develop and maintain in-house flight dynamics tools for new launcher needs.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Launcher system engineering

Trajectory analysis

Mission analysis

GNC interfaces

ASTOS (asset)

Education

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

ASTOS

Job description

Vega and Space Rider Flight Dynamics Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 21069

Date Posted: 27 October 2026

Closing Date: 17 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more): 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Frascati, IT

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands with a resident assignment to ESRIN in Frascati, Italy.

The post is subject to rotation. At the end of the 4-year assignment, notwithstanding possible extension of the appointment, a further assignment in an ESA establishment will be considered.

Description

Vega and Space Rider Flight Dynamics Engineer, reporting to the Head of the GNC Systems Architecture Section (parent organisation unit), in the GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

For your first assignment, you will be located at ESRIN and provide support to the Vega and Space Rider Launch System and Engineering Division, Flight Programmes Department, Directorate of Space Transportation.

Duties

This Division is responsible for managing engineering expertise in the Vega and Space Rider Integrated Project Team, supporting ESA and institutional missions, ensuring compatibility between launch systems, payloads and mission requirements. The Division is also responsible for maintaining technical consistency in the development and exploitation of the Vega-C, Vega-E and Space Rider systems, as well as for the implementation of the launch system industrial activities.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• serving as the focal point for all trajectory analyses to be performed as part the preparation of Vega missions;
• supporting the GNC system development with an emphasis on guidance definition through trajectory analysis and optimisation in closed-loop;
• supporting ESA and institutional customers, from the early development phases, on all aspects related to payload compatibility with the Vega launcher family, in close coordination with the experts from the Vega Integrated Project Team;
• participating in Vega-C mission analyses covering the full lifecycle from early feasibility studies and activities through to final mission analyses, ensuring the compliance of mission characteristics with the launcher’s qualified domain;
• conducting preliminary separation and collision-avoidance analyses, based on preliminary mission inputs, to support ESA and institutional missions;
• performing long-term trajectory propagation analyses, including critical reviews of industrial inputs related to no-collision and mid-term collision avoidance assessments, with particular emphasis on Vega-C dual-launch and multi-payload configurations;
• supporting Vega-C post-flight mission analyses related to trajectory and separation performance, including contributions to anomaly investigations within the relevant domain and the performance of independent cross-checks where required, for example to refine internal model uncertainties;
• maintaining the register of future missions and preparing bi-yearly internal reports highlighting key criticalities with respect to the launcher’s qualified perimeter;
• producing relevant technical documentation and presenting analysis results to ESA and institutional customers as well as to internal or external stakeholders;
• maintaining, adapting and further developing in-house flight dynamics tools to accommodate new launcher characteristics and evolving mission needs, including mathematical solvers and tools for concurrent optimisation of GNC-related aspects of the space vehicle and trajectory.

Technical competencies

• Flight dynamics and analysis of launchers and re-entry vehicles
• Launcher system engineering and launcher performance analysis
• Trajectory analysis and optimisation, including transient flight phases and separation dynamics
• Long-term trajectory propagation, collision avoidance and multi-payload mission analysis
• Development, validation and maintenance of launcher flight dynamics and mission analysis tools and numerical models
• Technical assessment and independent verification of industrial analyses and data
• Knowledge of launcher GNC and its interfaces with propulsion, structures, operations and other system disciplines
• Knowledge of the European launcher sector and the Vega launcher family

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education And Professional Experience

A master’s degree in engineering is required with 4 years of experience in space engineering, ideally in the space transportation field.

Additional Requirements

• Professional experience in one or more relevant technical domains within the space sector, such as flight dynamics, mission or trajectory analysis, system engineering, trajectory optimisation or analysis of transient flight phases, including separation.
• Experience in launcher systems and launcher design, including basic understanding of launcher performance, mission envelopes, staging concepts and operational or qualification constraints.
• Experience in mission analysis activities, including trajectory definition, long-term propagation, separation analysis and collision-avoidance studies.
• Ability to review industrial analyses and data and to perform independent checks and sensitivity analyses.
• Knowledge of, or initial hands-on experience with, ASTOS for trajectory and mission analysis would be an asset, together with the ability and willingness to learn and adapt to additional engineering tools.
• Familiarity with multi-payload and complex launcher mission concepts, such as dual launch, rideshare and evolving mission configurations, would be an asset.
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary engineering environment and interacting with agency teams, industry and institutional customers would be an asset.
• Initial practical experience in trajectory optimisation would be a strong asset.
• Strong analytical skills, a results-oriented approach, the ability to work effectively in a team and good interpersonal skills are essential.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [e-mail].

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations. During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures. Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position. The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.