Astrodynamics Engineer (Lead/Senior)

Darwin Recruitment; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment in Los Angeles seeks an experienced Astrodynamics Engineer to perform orbit analyses, derive mission requirements, and optimize spacecraft trajectories. You will develop tools, coordinate with subsystems, and lead a team across multiple programs to ensure top-down system performance.

The role requires 3+ years in orbital mechanics and the ability to obtain TS clearance; US citizenship is required. Collaboration with program management is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of engineering experience, preferably in aerospace.
• 3+ years’ experience in orbital mechanics, orbit design, or astrodynamics.
• Ability to obtain U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance (US citizenship required).

Responsibilities

• Perform astrodynamics and orbit analyses.
• Determine and derive astrodynamics requirements to meet customer requirements and perform customer missions.
• Optimize spacecraft trajectories based on fuel, time, and/or performance characteristics.
• Define/develop tools and processes to be used by mission operations and the broader team.
• Oversee Astrodynamics Engineering across a range of programs and portfolios.
• Interface with other satellite subsystems as well as systems engineering and program management to ensure system-level performance.
• Technical leadership of a team of engineers in support of a program, including decomposition and delegation of tasks.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Orbit design

Leadership

Customer-focused engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering

Tools

GMAT

STK

COTS mission planning tools

MATLAB

Python

Julia

Fortran

C++

Job description

Position Responsibilities:

• Perform astrodynamics and orbit analyses
• Determine and derive astrodynamics requirements to meet customer requirements and perform customer missions
• Optimize spacecraft trajectories based on fuel, time, and/or performance characteristics
• Define/develop tools and processes to be used by mission operations and the broader team
• Oversee Astrodynamics Engineering across a range of programs and portfolios
• Interface with other satellite subsystems as well as systems engineering and program management to ensure system-level performance
• Technical leadership of a team of engineers in support of a program, including decomposition and delegation of tasks

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related technical discipline and a minimum of 5 years of engineering industry experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience
• 3 or more years’ experience in orbital mechanics, orbit design, or astrodynamics
• 3 or more years’ experience with orbit design and simulation software tools (e.g. GMAT, STK, COTS mission planning tools, etc.) and scientific computing software (MATLAB, Python, Julia, Fortran, C++, etc.)
• This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance (post-start) for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship