Flight Dynamics Engineer: Orbit Design & Mission Planning

Planet; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 114,200 - 142,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

HSA contribution

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Equity

Job summary

Planet is seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to join a hybrid SF-based team focused on Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for Planet’s satellite fleet. You will design, implement, and automate optimization tools to support scheduling, orbit determination, and maneuver planning across the Dove, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations.

You will develop software in C++ and Python, perform first‑principles analyses, and collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and ground software

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, physics or related technical field.
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in orbital mechanics and space mission operations.
• Software development experience in C++ and Python.
• Ability to carry out first‑principles analysis and operationalize MVP solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Research, design, and architect new software solutions for managing Mission Design needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites.
• Work on complex optimization problems with your knowledge of flight dynamics and software engineering.
• Develop and automate tools to assess mission design trade-offs that will define the future of Planet's constellations.
• Collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and ground software teams to improve the operations of existing fleets and enable future missions.
• Perform first‑principles analysis to optimize scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet's diverse satellite constellations.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Space mission operations

C++

Python

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

Planet is seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to join a hybrid SF-based team focused on Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for Planet’s satellite fleet. You will design, implement, and automate optimization tools to support scheduling, orbit determination, and maneuver planning across the Dove, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations.

You will develop software in C++ and Python, perform first‑principles analyses, and collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and ground software