Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer: Trajectory & Maneuvers

Firefly Aerospace, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO for exempt employees

Sabbatical after 5 years of service

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Mental health services

Paid military leave

12 weeks paid maternity leave

Stock options / Employee ownership

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. seeks a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to design and optimize trajectories and maneuver sequences for missions spanning LEO and cislunar space.

You will develop targeting algorithms, create error budgets, and act as a flight dynamics operator while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced environment. Join a team enabling reliable, repeatable space access from Austin, TX, with opportunities to impact mission design, analysis, and cross‑functional collaboration using

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics with 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.
• Python proficiency and Linux experience.
• Proficiency with STK for trajectory design (and related tools).

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize spacecraft trajectories and maneuver sequences for operational missions (LEO to cislunar).
• Develop targeting algorithms and error budgets; mentor junior engineers.
• Interface with cross‑functional teams to translate mission designs into executable operations.
• Create maneuver plans and verification procedures; perform validation and testing.
• Author technical reports and mission analyses for diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Flight dynamics experience

Python programming

Linux

Communication skills

Trajectory design collaboration

Education

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

Advanced degree (MS/ PhD) in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field

Tools

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT or equivalent

MONTE software (JPL)

Git / CI/CD tooling

Job description

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. seeks a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to design and optimize trajectories and maneuver sequences for missions spanning LEO and cislunar space.

You will develop targeting algorithms, create error budgets, and act as a flight dynamics operator while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced environment. Join a team enabling reliable, repeatable space access from Austin, TX, with opportunities to impact mission design, analysis, and cross‑functional collaboration using