Flight Dynamics Engineer II: Trajectory & Missions

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab's Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA is hiring a Flight Dynamics Engineer II to design and analyze trajectories for Earth orbiting, lunar, and interplanetary missions. You will collaborate across disciplines to validate guidance, support mission readiness, and contribute to simulation tools.

The role requires a physics/engineering degree, 2+ years in flight dynamics, and a security clearance or ability to obtain one, plus US citizenship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
• 2+ years of experience in mission design, flight dynamics.
• Understanding of orbital mechanics, Orbit determination theory.
• Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent.
• Python software development.
• Git version control, or an equivalent version control system.
• Jira software project management or equivalent.
• Active Secret clearance OR ability to obtain and maintain one
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze launch vehicle and spacecraft trajectories, including ascent, orbit insertion, and orbital maneuvers
• Perform orbital propagation, rendezvous planning, and station-keeping analysis for spacecraft operations
• Support mission design including launch window analysis, delta-V budgets, and contingency planning
• Interface with flight software and GNC teams to validate and optimize guidance profiles
• Generate and deliver trajectory data products and flight dynamics support for mission readiness reviews
• Contribute to development of in-house simulation tools and flight dynamics infrastructure
• Support real-time mission operations including anomaly response and post-launch data analysis

Skills

Python software development

Git version control

Jira software project management

Understanding of orbital mechanics

Orbit determination theory

Mission design

Flight dynamics

Clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree

Tools

STK

Astrogator

GMAT

Monte

Copernicus

ODTK

Orekit

Git

Jira

Job description

Rocket Lab's Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA is hiring a Flight Dynamics Engineer II to design and analyze trajectories for Earth orbiting, lunar, and interplanetary missions. You will collaborate across disciplines to validate guidance, support mission readiness, and contribute to simulation tools.

The role requires a physics/engineering degree, 2+ years in flight dynamics, and a security clearance or ability to obtain one, plus US citizenship.