Senior Flight Dynamics Software Engineer, Mission Planning Platform

Muon Space; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 213,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Healthcare benefits

401k retirement plan

Job summary

Muon Space in San Jose, CA is seeking a Senior Flight Dynamics Software Engineer to lead the Mission Planning Platform. You will own workstreams end-to-end—from architecture to production deployment—covering orbit determination, maneuver planning, and constellation-scale automation, while mentoring junior engineers.

You will collaborate across teams, drive design decisions, support on-orbit propulsion operations, and help evolve the OD pipeline with advanced methods.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, physics, applied math, or related field (M.S. preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in flight dynamics software development and operations.
• Direct, hands-on experience planning, executing, and reconstructing propulsive maneuvers for operational LEO spacecraft.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with production-level contributions.
• Solid grounding in flight dynamics fundamentals: orbital mechanics, propagation, orbit determination, maneuver design.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work across functional boundaries and communicate clearly with non-FD stakeholders (GNC, Systems, Operations, external vendors).
• Ability to translate first-principles analysis into production-level code.
• Familiarity with modern software engineering practices (version control, code review, automated testing) in a Linux-based environment.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.

Responsibilities

• Own major MuFDS workstreams end-to-end across architecture, implementation, validation, and operational rollout.
• Drive architecture and design decisions for flight dynamics capabilities that span team boundaries.
• Support on-orbit propulsion operations, including commissioning campaigns and routine maneuvers, in coordination with propulsion vendors and subcontractors.
• Lead operational response for orbit determination and maneuver-related anomalies, including deep-dive root-cause investigations and follow-on system improvements.
• Represent flight dynamics in mission readiness reviews, cross-team design reviews, and interactions with external partners.
• Evolve Muon’s OD pipeline toward more advanced and robust methods (e.g. statistical filtering, factor graph methods, improved dynamics modeling).
• Mentor earlier-career engineers on flight dynamics fundamentals, software craftsmanship, and Muon’s ground systems.

Skills

C++

Python

Flight dynamics

Orbital mechanics

Propagation

Maneuver design

Communication

Linux

Education

B.S. or higher in aerospace/astrodynamics/physics/applied math

M.S. preferred

Tools

GMAT

Orekit

Git

Linux

Ansys STK

FreeFlyer

Job description

About The Role

Muon seeks a Senior Flight Dynamics Software Engineer to join our Mission Planning Platform team and help lead the buildout of our flight dynamics capability. Partnering with our flight dynamics lead, you will own major workstreams end-to-end — from architecture through production deployment and operations — across orbit determination, maneuver planning, and constellation-scale automation. You'll also help grow the team by mentoring earlier-career engineers and representing flight dynamics in cross-team technical forums.

Responsibilities

• Own major MuFDS (Muon’s in-house flight dynamics system) workstreams end-to-end (architecture, implementation, validation, and operational rollout) across areas such as automated maneuver planning, stationkeeping and collision avoidance, and maneuver reconstruction.
• Drive architecture and design decisions for flight dynamics capabilities that span team boundaries.
• Support on-orbit propulsion operations, including commissioning campaigns and routine maneuvers, in coordination with propulsion vendors and subcontractors.
• Lead operational response for orbit determination and maneuver‑related anomalies, including deep‑dive root‑cause investigations and follow‑on system improvements.
• Represent flight dynamics in mission readiness reviews, cross‑team design reviews, and interactions with external partners.
• Evolve Muon’s OD pipeline toward more advanced and robust methods (e.g. statistical filtering, factor graph methods, improved dynamics modeling).
• Mentor earlier-career engineers on flight dynamics fundamentals, software craftsmanship, and Muon’s ground systems.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, physics, applied math, or related field (M.S. preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in flight dynamics software development and operations.
• Direct, hands‑on experience planning, executing, and reconstructing propulsive maneuvers for operational LEO spacecraft.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with a track record of production‑level contributions in both.
• Solid grounding in flight dynamics fundamentals: orbital mechanics, propagation, orbit determination, maneuver design.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work across functional boundaries and communicate clearly with non‑FD stakeholders (GNC, Systems, Operations, external vendors).
• Ability to translate first‑principles analysis into production‑level code.
• Familiarity with modern software engineering practices (version control, code review, automated testing) in a Linux‑based environment.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment with evolving priorities.

Nice‑to‑have Skills

• Hands‑on experience implementing and operating OD systems, including practical familiarity with filter tuning, residual analysis, and dynamics model calibration.
• Experience with astrodynamics software, either open‑source (e.g., GMAT, Orekit) or commercial (e.g., Ansys STK/ODTK, FreeFlyer).
• Experience taking a spacecraft from LEOP through steady‑state operations.
• Experience with conjunction assessment / collision avoidance workflows.
• Experience with scheduling or constrained optimization problems (e.g., pass scheduling, contact planning).
• Experience with cloud‑based services or ground software systems.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $213,000 - $237,000 plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end‑to‑end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission‑critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time‑to‑orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state‑of‑the‑art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full‑time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance.

• three weeks paid vacation for new employees
• 12 paid holidays
• unlimited sick time
• paid parental leave

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.

• 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.