Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer, Mission Operations

Katalyst; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan

Relocation bonus

Job summary

Katalyst in Broomfield, Colorado, seeks an experienced aerospace professional for Flight Dynamics. You will provide subject matter expertise, support operations teams, and ensure mission success through trajectory analysis and automation tools.

The ideal candidate holds a relevant Bachelor’s degree, has over 7 years of experience, and is proficient in Python/C++. The role emphasizes collaboration and requires the ability to thrive in high-stress situations.

Anticipated pay is between $140,000 and $180,000, plus comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics.
• Experience supporting critical operations in high stress environments.
• Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide Flight Dynamics subject matter expertise for mission operations.
• Support ground software and mission operations teams.
• Develop, validate, and maintain flight dynamics tools.

Skills

Proficiency in Python/C++

Technical knowledge of state estimation

Experience using STK, GMAT, Basalisk

Git version control

Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or equivalent

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

What You’ll Do

• Provide Flight Dynamics and orbital mechanics subject matter expertise for mission operations design and analyze spacecraft trajectories throughout mission lifecycle, with a focus on rendezvous proximity operations.
• Support ground software and mission operations teams to develop automation tools.
• Develop, validate, and maintain flight dynamics tools and simulation environments.
• Perform maneuver planning and delta‑V optimization.
• Analyze spacecraft navigation performance and state estimation accuracy.
• Help create DRMs for proposals, presentations and other customer facing events.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• ABachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
• The role requires 7+ years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics.
• Proficiency in Python/C++.
• Technical knowledge of state estimation, navigation, maneuver, trajectory planning, collision avoidance, orbit determination and operations.
• Experience using STK, GMAT, Basalisk, or similar.
• Git version control, or an equivalent version control system.
• Experience supporting critical operations and working/making decisions in high stress environments.
• Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in fast paced environments.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Experience with rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, inspection, servicing, formation flying, or relative navigation mission design.
• Experience supporting real‑time or near‑real‑time flight dynamics operations, including maneuver planning, pass preparation, state assessment, anomaly response, and operator decision support.
• Demonstrated ability to build internal engineering tools, automate analysis workflows, and convert complex astrodynamics problems into usable operational products.

Additional Requirements

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

Your base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $140,000 - $180,000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR‑controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non‑US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.