Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer – LEO Constellation

Blue Signal Search; United States; Remote; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Technical autonomy

Remote work nationwide

Job summary

Blue Signal Search is seeking a senior flight dynamics engineer to own recurring orbit determination and trajectory assessment for an operational LEO fleet. You will produce trusted state solutions to support mission planning and spacecraft operations, including maneuver planning and ephemeris generation.

You will apply high-fidelity force models, estimation filters, and covariance analysis, using ODTK and STK, and build Python workflows to automate analyses and strengthen repeatability across

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field.
• 10+ years of flight dynamics/orbit operations experience preferred; 7–9 years considered.
• Hands-on ODTK experience in an operational setting; practical STK knowledge.
• Strong Python ability for analysis, automation, or workflows.
• Deep knowledge of orbital mechanics, force modeling, estimation, covariance, and OD validation.
• LEO satellite experience and practical understanding of maneuver behavior.

Responsibilities

• Own recurring orbit determination and trajectory assessment for an operational LEO fleet.
• Plan and evaluate orbit-raising, station-keeping, and other maneuvers with accurate modeling.
• Apply high-fidelity force models, estimation filters, covariance analysis, and residual review.
• Develop Python workflows connecting with ODTK and STK to automate analyses.
• Judge whether orbit solutions meet accuracy and confidence for ephemeris release.
• Support commissioning, launch, anomaly response, and periods of elevated activity.
• Collaborate in a lean technical team to improve flight dynamics methods and tools.

Skills

Python

Orbit determination

Orbital mechanics

Maneuver planning

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ODTK

STK

Job description

Remote - Nationwide

Our client is expanding the flight dynamics capability behind a growing Low Earth Orbit satellite network and is seeking a senior engineer who can bring deep astrodynamics expertise into live spacecraft operations. This is an opportunity to work at the center of constellation growth, supporting established spacecraft as well as new vehicles entering service. The engineer will have meaningful ownership across orbit determination, maneuver strategy, commissioning, operational product generation, and the tools that make those activities more reliable and efficient.

This Role Offers:

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.
• A highly technical environment where deep flight dynamics expertise has visible operational impact.
• Opportunities to improve analytical tools, automation, and flight dynamics processes rather than simply execute established procedures.
• Exposure to commissioning, maneuver operations, anomaly response, and other mission-critical phases of the spacecraft lifecycle.

Focus:

• Own recurring orbit determination and trajectory assessment for an operational low Earth orbit fleet, producing trusted state solutions that support mission planning and spacecraft operations.
• Plan and evaluate orbit-raising, station-keeping, and other spacecraft maneuvers, accounting for atmospheric drag, deployment altitude, and changing LEO conditions.
• Apply high-fidelity force models, estimation filters, covariance analysis, and residual review to diagnose solution quality and improve orbit-estimation performance.
• Use ODTK as a primary operational analysis environment, with STK supporting trajectory modeling, visualization, scenario assessment, and mission analysis.
• Build and maintain Python-based workflows that connect with ODTK and STK, reducing manual effort and strengthening repeatability across flight dynamics operations.
• Make engineering judgments on whether orbit solutions meet the accuracy and confidence needed to release downstream ephemeris and mission products.
• Support spacecraft commissioning, launch and early-orbit activities, anomaly response, and periods of increased operational tempo when mission events require it.
• Partner within a lean technical team to improve flight dynamics methods, operational tooling, and processes as the constellation expands.

Skill Set:

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline, required.
• Approximately 10 or more years of relevant flight dynamics, astrodynamics, orbit determination, or satellite operations experience is preferred. Highly qualified candidates with roughly 7 to 9 years may be considered.
• Recent, hands-on ODTK experience in an operational setting, plus practical STK knowledge and the ability to work across both environments.
• Strong Python capability, including experience using or integrating Python with STK and ODTK for analysis, automation, or operational workflows.
• Deep command of orbital mechanics and orbit determination fundamentals, including force modeling, estimation filters, covariance, residual interpretation, and solution-accuracy assessment.
• Meaningful LEO satellite experience, including maneuver behavior, low-altitude deployment considerations, atmospheric drag, and the operational realities of maintaining spacecraft in this regime.
• Hands-on operational spacecraft experience with demonstrated judgment in validating OD solutions before ephemeris or other downstream products are generated and distributed.
• U.S. Person status is required because the position involves access to technologies and technical data controlled under the Export Administration Regulations.