Astrodynamics & Navigation Engineer

EVONA (United States); Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA in the United States is seeking an Astrodynamics & Navigation Engineer to own mission design, trajectory analysis and navigation for advanced spacecraft. You will lead trajectory design, orbit determination and manoeuvre planning, developing fuel budgets and mission simulations.

You will analyze navigation accuracy, tracking coverage and collision avoidance, build flight dynamics tools and collaborate with propulsion, GNC, flight software and mission operations teams.

Qualifications

• Direct spacecraft mission design or astrodynamics experience required.
• 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 in Python and/or MATLAB.
• A relevant engineering or physics degree.
• Ability to own technical analyses and communicate 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 with propulsion, GNC, flight software and mission ops teams.

Skills

Mission design

Orbital mechanics

Spaceflight navigation

Communication of results

Education

Engineering or Physics degree

Tools

STK/ODTK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Astrodynamics & Navigation Engineer

Maryland, California or Oklahoma

Design the trajectory. Own the mission.

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.

• A relevant engineering or physics degree.

• 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.