Astrodynamics and Navigation Engineer III

Quantum Space; California; On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Generous leave

HSA

401(k) matching

Equity sharing

Job summary

Quantum Space seeks an experienced Astrodynamics and Navigation Engineer III to lead trajectory design, orbit determination, maneuver planning, and mission analysis across the lifecycle of high-mobility spacecraft missions.

You will work with systems engineering, GNC, flight software, propulsion, and mission operations to build robust, high-fidelity flight dynamics capabilities, supporting design, on-orbit operations, and analysis for multiple regimes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, or related field.
• 5–10+ years of experience performing mission design tasks, general mission analysis, and flight dynamics related operations for spacecraft systems.
• Strong background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and spacecraft navigation.
• Experience with industry standard tools such as STK/ODTK, Freeflyer, GMAT, or similar.
• Experience in at least one of the following languages: Python, MATLAB.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission design activities for LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar missions, including trajectory and maneuver design and orbit maintenance planning.
• Own mission-level simulation and end-to-end performance analysis, including eclipse/payload coverage and tracking geometry.
• Architect navigation solutions and select measurement phenomenologies and ground networks.
• Develop and maintain internal flight dynamics and mission analysis tools (Python/MATLAB/C++-based).
• Collaborate with GNC, mission operations, and systems engineering; generate design reports and trade studies.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Flight dynamics

Trajectory design

Orbit determination

Python

MATLAB

C++

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, or related field

Tools

STK

ODTK

Freeflyer

GMAT

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking an experiencedAstrodynamics and Navigation Engineer III to lead the analysis, design, and operational support of highly maneuverable spacecraft missions. This role will lead trajectory design, orbit determination, maneuver planning, and mission analysis efforts across the mission lifecycle - from early concept development through on-orbit operations.

You will work closely with systems engineering, GNC, flight software, propulsion, and mission operations teams to develop and implement robust, high-fidelity flight dynamics capabilities that support trajectory design, orbit determination, maneuver planning, and mission analysis for missions across multiple regimes.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Lead mission design activities for LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar missions, including:
  • Trajectory and maneuver design
  • Delta-v/propellant budgeting
  • Orbit maintenance planning
  • Navigation covariance sensitivity studies
  • Launch injection dispersion and maneuver execution Monte Carlo analyses
  • Disposal planning
• Own mission-level simulation and end-to-end performance analysis, including:
  • Eclipse & payload coverage analyses
  • Conjunction assessment and collision avoidance analysis
  • Ground station visibility analysis and link budget inputs
  • Tracking geometry assessment and schedules
  • Scheduling support for mission operations
• Architect navigation solutions, informing selection of spacecraft tracking measurement phenomenologies and ground networks
• Develop and maintain internal flight dynamics and mission analysis tools (Python/MATLAB/C++-based)
• Contribute to spacecraft operations, including maneuver planning, anomaly investigation and on-orbit performance evaluation
• Generate technical documentation, trade studies, and design reports
• Collaborate with GNC, communications, systems engineering, mission operations

What It Takes:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, or related field
• 5-10+ years of experience performing mission design tasks, general mission analysis, and flight dynamics related operations for spacecraft systems
• Strong background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and spacecraft navigation
• Experience with industry standard tools such as Systems Tool Kit (STK)/Orbit Determination Toolkit (ODTK), Freeflyer, GMAT, or similar
• Experience in at least one of the following languages: Python, MATLAB
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice-to-Have Experience:

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering with a focus in Astrodynamics or Estimation
• Experience with cislunar three-body trajectory design and navigation
• Experience with Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) mission design including relative orbit design and navigation
• Experience designing low-thrust and hybrid propulsion spacecraft missions
• Experience with alternative forms of spacecraft navigation (e.g. OpNAV, inter-satellite links)
• Exposure to other spacecraft subsystems (e.g. GNC, propulsion, FSW)

What You'll Get

• Ownership - Build and validate the flight dynamics capability that defines how our spacecraft operate across LEO, GEO, and cislunar regimes.
• Innovation - Shape next-generation flight dynamics architectures, trajectory design methodologies, and mission analysis tools for high-energy, low-energy, and multi-body missions.
• Impact - Directly influence mission feasibility, Delta-V performance, navigation accuracy, and long-term success across LEO, GEO, and cislunar operations.
• Growth - Collaborate across GNC, avionics, flight software, systems engineering, and mission operations, with opportunities to expand into advanced astrodynamics,orbitdetermination, mission design, or on-orbit flight operations leadership.
• Compensation -Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.

Location: Rockville, MD or, Hawthorne, CA or, Tulsa, OK

Base Salary: $125,000 - $175,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.