Lead Astrodynamics Engineer - Mission Design & Trajectory

Darwin Recruitment; California; On-site; USD 123,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite in El Segundo

Export controlled role

US Person status required

No visa sponsorship

Drug-free workplace

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking an experienced Responsible Engineering Authority for the Astrodynamics subsystem to guide engineering standards on space missions. The role involves leading a team, defining requirements, and interfacing with subsystems across programmes, with a focus on robust trajectory analyses.

The position requires a bachelor’s in aerospace or related field, 5+ years in engineering, and 3+ years in orbital mechanics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related technical discipline and 5+ years of engineering experience.
• 3+ years in orbital mechanics, orbit design or astrodynamics.
• 3+ years with orbit design and simulation tools such as GMAT, STK or COTS mission planning tools, plus scientific computing in MATLAB, Python, Julia, Fortran or C++.

Responsibilities

• Perform astrodynamics and orbit analyses.
• Determine and derive astrodynamics requirements to meet customer requirements and perform customer missions.
• Optimise spacecraft trajectories against fuel, time and performance characteristics.
• Define and develop the tools and processes used by mission operations and the broader team.
• Oversee Astrodynamics engineering across a range of programmes and portfolios.
• Interface with other satellite subsystems, systems engineering and programme management to ensure system level performance.
• Provide technical leadership to a team of engineers, including decomposition and delegation of tasks.
• Mentor other members of the team and be accountable for the quality of work coming from the group.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Requirements derivation

System interface

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

GMAT

STK

COTS mission planning tools

MATLAB

Python

Julia

Fortran

C++

Job description

Darwin Recruitment is seeking an experienced Responsible Engineering Authority for the Astrodynamics subsystem to guide engineering standards on space missions. The role involves leading a team, defining requirements, and interfacing with subsystems across programmes, with a focus on robust trajectory analyses.

The position requires a bachelor’s in aerospace or related field, 5+ years in engineering, and 3+ years in orbital mechanics.