Flight Dynamics Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Healthcare

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks a Flight Dynamics Engineer in Los Angeles to build simulation and analysis tooling for high fidelity trajectory analysis of spacecraft already in orbit.

You will design orbit determination algorithms, develop automated tools to detect manoeuvres, mentor junior engineers, ensure regulatory compliance, and document results.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of experience in orbit determination and state estimation
• Proficient in Python, C++ or MATLAB for astrodynamics modelling
• Experience with Kalman filters and batch estimators
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and drive process improvements
• U.S. person eligible for DoD Top Secret sponsorship

Responsibilities

• Build simulation and analysis tooling to track and characterize manoeuvres in orbit
• Design and implement orbit determination algorithms, including Kalman filters
• Perform orbit design, trajectory analysis and precise state propagation
• Develop automated tools to detect and reconstruct manoeuvres of on-orbit systems
• Document design processes, test results and system performance
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Collaboration

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field focusing on astrodynamics

Tools

ODTK

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Orekit

Job description

Flight Dynamics Engineer
Los Angeles, California | Full time, onsite | Relocation supported

The role

You will build the simulation and analysis tooling that allows the platform to track, characterise manoeuvres and run high fidelity trajectory analysis on systems already in orbit.

• Design and implement advanced orbit determination algorithms, including extended and unscented Kalman filters and batch estimators, to process multi modal observation data


• Perform orbit design, trajectory analysis and precise state propagation for operational spacecraft


• Extract trajectory related metadata from orbit determination and state estimation work to support wider system characterisation


• Develop automated tools to detect, characterise and reconstruct the manoeuvres of on orbit systems


• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements


• Document design processes, test results and system performance


• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers

What you need

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in aerospace engineering or a related field with a focus on astrodynamics


• Five or more years of experience in orbit determination, state estimation theory and space domain awareness applications


• Proficiency in orbital mechanics and mission design software


• Programming in Python, C++ or MATLAB for astrodynamics modelling and estimation tool development


• Demonstrated leadership, including mentoring junior engineers and driving improvements in engineering process


• Strong problem solving skills and attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate in a fast moving environment


• US person, willing and eligible to obtain a DoD Top Secret security clearance. You do not need to hold one already, as sponsorship is available

Nice to have

• Master’s or PhD with a research focus on advanced astrodynamics, non linear estimation theory or multi target tracking


• Deep expertise in advanced filtering techniques such as particle filters, and data association algorithms for crowded space environments


• Advanced proficiency with orbit determination and mission design suites such as ODTK, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT or Orekit


• Experience processing, calibrating and characterising data from varied space domain awareness sensor modalities, including optical telescopes, phased array radars, RF sensors or spacecraft laser ranging


• Experience taking astrodynamics algorithms from R&D into production, including cloud architectures such as AWS or Azure, containerisation with Docker, or high performance and parallel computing


• Hands on operational experience supporting live spacecraft, including conjunction assessment, collision avoidance manoeuvre planning or resolving navigation anomalies

What is on offer

Medical, dental and vision paid by the company for the employee, flexible vacation, 401k matching, holiday pay, and pregnancy, family and military service leave. Interview travel and relocation are covered. Genuine R&D ownership in a team small enough that your work is visible at company level, with a fast, decisive interview process.