Senior Astrodynamics & Navigation Engineer

Quantum Space; California; On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Generous leave

HSA

401(k) matching

Equity sharing

Job summary

Quantum Space seeks an experienced Astrodynamics and Navigation Engineer III to lead trajectory design, orbit determination, maneuver planning, and mission analysis across the lifecycle of high-mobility spacecraft missions.

You will work with systems engineering, GNC, flight software, propulsion, and mission operations to build robust, high-fidelity flight dynamics capabilities, supporting design, on-orbit operations, and analysis for multiple regimes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, or related field.
• 5–10+ years of experience performing mission design tasks, general mission analysis, and flight dynamics related operations for spacecraft systems.
• Strong background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and spacecraft navigation.
• Experience with industry standard tools such as STK/ODTK, Freeflyer, GMAT, or similar.
• Experience in at least one of the following languages: Python, MATLAB.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission design activities for LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar missions, including trajectory and maneuver design and orbit maintenance planning.
• Own mission-level simulation and end-to-end performance analysis, including eclipse/payload coverage and tracking geometry.
• Architect navigation solutions and select measurement phenomenologies and ground networks.
• Develop and maintain internal flight dynamics and mission analysis tools (Python/MATLAB/C++-based).
• Collaborate with GNC, mission operations, and systems engineering; generate design reports and trade studies.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Flight dynamics

Trajectory design

Orbit determination

Python

MATLAB

C++

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, or related field

Tools

STK

ODTK

Freeflyer

GMAT

Job description

Quantum Space seeks an experienced Astrodynamics and Navigation Engineer III to lead trajectory design, orbit determination, maneuver planning, and mission analysis across the lifecycle of high-mobility spacecraft missions.

You will work with systems engineering, GNC, flight software, propulsion, and mission operations to build robust, high-fidelity flight dynamics capabilities, supporting design, on-orbit operations, and analysis for multiple regimes.