Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer - Trajectory Design

Apex Systems; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 185,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K

ESPP

HSA

Insurance options

Job summary

Apex Systems in Leander, Texas seeks a Flight Dynamics Engineer III to design and optimize spacecraft trajectories and maneuver sequences for missions from LEO to cislunar space. You will develop targeting algorithms, create error budgets, and operate as a flight dynamics engineer while mentoring juniors.

The role combines mission design with hands-on operational support and requires advanced knowledge of orbital mechanics, attitude control, and optimization methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 5-8 years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics with significant depth in mission design or maneuver planning.
• Experience supporting operational spacecraft missions through multiple mission phases.
• Advanced understanding of orbital mechanics theory and applications.
• Understanding of spacecraft attitude control and its impact on maneuver execution accuracy.
• Strong understanding of targeting and optimization methods.
• Knowledge of estimation theory and uncertainty modeling.
• Experience in software development and modeling/simulation for spaceflight applications.
• Working knowledge of Python and Linux.
• Proficiency with one or more commercial trajectory design software tools (STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Optimize spacecraft trajectories to satisfy mission requirements while balancing delta-V budgets, mission duration, and payload constraints.
• Design and maintain mission designs from the conceptual phase through the end of spacecraft mission operations.
• Develop algorithms to target maneuvers that achieve spacecraft mission objectives.
• Create maneuver error budgets and perform sensitivity analysis to assess robustness to execution uncertainties.
• Formulate and analyze contingency maneuver plans and abort scenarios for off-nominal conditions.
• Interface with cross-discipline teams to translate maneuver plans into executable command sequences and operational procedures.
• Serve as a flight dynamics operator for spacecraft missions and perform maneuver reconstruction to improve spacecraft models.
• Perform verification and validation of flight dynamics models and software using analytical solutions, benchmarks, and flight data.
• Author technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate flight dynamics concepts and results to diverse audiences.

Skills

Python

Linux

Trajectory design

Orbital mechanics

Optimization methods

Estimation theory

Uncertainty modeling

Mission design

Maneuver planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field

Tools

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Job description

Apex Systems in Leander, Texas seeks a Flight Dynamics Engineer III to design and optimize spacecraft trajectories and maneuver sequences for missions from LEO to cislunar space. You will develop targeting algorithms, create error budgets, and operate as a flight dynamics engineer while mentoring juniors.

The role combines mission design with hands-on operational support and requires advanced knowledge of orbital mechanics, attitude control, and optimization methods.