Spacecraft Flight Dynamics Engineer

Motive Workforce; California; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) matching

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Flexible vacation

Parental leave

Military leave

Additional employee benefits

Job summary

Motive Workforce partners with an innovative Los Angeles-based spacecraft technology company seeking a Spacecraft Flight Dynamics Engineer to own flight dynamics and control systems from design to live on-orbit operations. You'll work on ADCS, propulsion, and GNC hardware, developing high-fidelity models and tuning control laws for pointing and momentum management.

Collaborate with Avionics, Flight Software, Systems Engineering, and AI&T teams, perform HIL testing, support on-console

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or related technical field.
• 5+ years in spacecraft flight dynamics, GNC, or ADCS.
• Experience with attitude determination and control systems and propulsion hardware.
• Strong modeling, simulation, and mission analysis background.
• Proficiency in STK or equivalent tools; programming in Python, MATLAB, C++.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration, performance requirements, and vendor coordination for ADCS, propulsion, and GNC hardware.
• Develop high-fidelity spacecraft flight dynamics models for trajectory analysis and momentum management.
• Design, develop, and tune control laws for pointing, detumbling, station keeping, and attitude stabilization.
• Perform modeling and simulation using STK, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Collaborate with Avionics, Flight Software, Systems Eng., and AI&T teams to calibrate hardware.

Skills

Flight dynamics

GNC

ADCS

Python

MATLAB

STK

C++

Hardware integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Eng

Tools

STK

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Would you like to be the Spacecraft Flight Dynamics Engineer for an innovative aerospace company revolutionizing how purpose-built satellites are designed, developed, and deployed?

Does being on the front lines of spacecraft missions, from developing advanced flight dynamics models to commanding spacecraft in orbit, appeal to you?

As our Spacecraft Flight Dynamics Engineer, can you picture yourself developing the guidance, navigation, and control systems that keep satellites precisely positioned, stabilized, and operating successfully in space?

Would you like to be part of a team where your expertise in ADCS, propulsion, and flight dynamics directly influences spacecraft performance, from initial design and simulation through hardware integration, launch, and live on-orbit operations?

Imagine advancing the future of space technology in Los Angeles, where groundbreaking aerospace innovation meets the Southern California lifestyle, with beaches, mountains, and year-round outdoor adventures just minutes away.

If you're ready to help shape the next generation of spacecraft as our

Navigate the Future of Space:

Our client is an innovative Los Angeles-based spacecraft technology company developing advanced, purpose-built satellites and mission solutions for commercial, scientific, and national security applications. Through cutting-edge computational engineering and spacecraft technology, they're transforming how satellites are designed and brought to orbit.

• High-Impact Role: Own critical flight dynamics and control systems that guide spacecraft from development through successful on-orbit operations
• Innovative Environment: Join a collaborative aerospace team developing next-generation spacecraft and mission technologies
• Competitive Benefits Package: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) matching, paid holidays, sick leave, flexible vacation, parental leave, military leave, and additional employee benefits

Your Mission in Flight:

• Lead technical integration, performance requirements, and vendor coordination for spacecraft ADCS, propulsion, and GNC hardware
• Develop high-fidelity spacecraft flight dynamics models for trajectory analysis, maneuver planning, momentum management, and propellant budgeting
• Design, develop, and tune control laws for spacecraft pointing, detumbling, station-keeping, and attitude stabilization
• Perform advanced modeling and simulation using STK, Python, MATLAB, or comparable flight dynamics tools
• Collaborate with Avionics, Flight Software, Systems Engineering, and AI&T teams to integrate and calibrate spacecraft hardware
• Support hardware-in-the-loop testing, spacecraft integration, and system-level verification
• Transition spacecraft from simulation and ground testing into live flight operations
• Support on-console spacecraft operations, maneuver execution, anomaly investigation, troubleshooting, and recovery
• Analyze spacecraft performance using simulation, test, and on-orbit data to optimize mission capabilities
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvements in flight dynamics engineering processes

Pre-Launch Checklist:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of professional experience in spacecraft flight dynamics, GNC, ADCS, or a closely related field
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft attitude determination and control systems and propulsion hardware
• Strong background developing spacecraft dynamics models, simulations, and mission analyses
• Proficiency with STK or comparable flight dynamics and mission design platforms
• Programming experience with Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar engineering languages
• Experience supporting spacecraft hardware integration, testing, or flight operations
• Familiarity with clean room environments and ESD procedures
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and cross-functional engineering skills

Preferred Flight Experience:

• Experience supporting spacecraft through launch and live on-orbit operations
• Hands-on experience with reaction wheels, star trackers, sun sensors, magnetometers, torque rods, and spacecraft propulsion systems
• Experience developing or executing hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulations
• Experience investigating spacecraft anomalies and implementing corrective actions during flight operations
• Experience leading technical engineering initiatives or mentoring junior engineers

Key Words: Spacecraft Flight Dynamics Engineer, Flight Dynamics Engineer, Spacecraft GNC Engineer, Guidance Navigation and Control, GNC, ADCS, Attitude Determination and Control, Spacecraft Attitude Control, Orbital Mechanics, Astrodynamics, Spacecraft Propulsion, Trajectory Analysis, Orbit Determination, Maneuver Planning, Station Keeping, Momentum Management, Reaction Wheels, Star Trackers, Magnetometers, Torque Rods, Spacecraft Simulation, STK, Systems Tool Kit, MATLAB, Python, C++, Hardware-in-the-Loop, HIL, Software-in-the-Loop, SIL, Spacecraft Integration, AI&T, Flight Software, Mission Operations, Satellite Operations, On-Orbit Operations, Aerospace Engineering, Satellite Engineering, Spacecraft Systems.