Astrodynamics & Navigation Engineer

EVONA; Maryland; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA is seeking an experienced Astrodynamics & Navigation Engineer in the United States (Maryland) to own mission design, trajectory analysis and navigation for advanced spacecraft.

You will influence missions from feasibility studies to on-orbit operations, combining orbital mechanics, simulation and practical spacecraft engineering. Join a team tackling complex challenges with impact across mission phases and systems.

Qualifications

• Direct spacecraft mission design, astrodynamics or flight dynamics experience is essential.
• Typically 5–10+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics and navigation.
• Experience with STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, GMAT or comparable tools.
• Programming capability in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Confidence owning technical analyses and communicating recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead spacecraft trajectory design, orbit determination and manoeuvre planning.
• Develop fuel budgets, orbit maintenance strategies and mission simulations.
• Analyse navigation accuracy, tracking coverage and collision avoidance.
• Build and improve flight dynamics tools.
• Support spacecraft operations, investigate anomalies and assess on-orbit performance.
• Work closely with propulsion, GNC, flight software and mission operations teams.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Mission design

Orbit determination

Trajectory analysis

Spacecraft navigation

Python

MATLAB

Tools

STK/ODTK/GMAT

FreeFlyer

Job description

Where a spacecraft goes - and how accurately it gets there - starts with the engineer behind the mission.

We're partnering with a space technology business looking for an experienced Astrodynamics & Navigation Engineer to take ownership of mission design, trajectory analysis and navigation for advanced spacecraft.

Your work will influence missions from the earliest feasibility studies through to on-orbit operations, bringing together orbital mechanics, simulation and practical spacecraft engineering.

The opportunity

• Lead spacecraft trajectory design, orbit determination and manoeuvre planning.
• Develop fuel budgets, orbit maintenance strategies and mission simulations.
• Analyse navigation accuracy, tracking coverage and collision avoidance.
• Build and improve flight dynamics tools.
• Support spacecraft operations, investigate anomalies and assess on-orbit performance.
• Work closely with propulsion, GNC, flight software and mission operations teams.

What you'll bring

• Direct spacecraft mission design, astrodynamics or flight dynamics experience is essential. Missile, aircraft or general aerospace experience alone will not meet this requirement.
• Typically 5-10+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics and navigation.
• Experience with STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer, GMAT or comparable tools.
• Programming capability in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Confidence owning technical analyses and communicating recommendations.

Experience with rendezvous and proximity operations, advanced orbital trajectories, low-thrust propulsion or alternative navigation methods would be particularly valuable.

Why consider it?

Meaningful technical ownership, challenging spacecraft missions and the opportunity to shape the tools and methods used to fly them. Competitive compensation, equity and comprehensive benefits are available.

Applicable US export-control eligibility requirements apply.