Trajectory Analysis Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Trajectory Analysis Engineer for Starship, focusing on analyzing launch vehicle trajectories, flight safety deliverables, and mission-critical trajectory products. The role involves collaborating with operations, hardware, and regulatory teams to ensure safe, reusable aerospace design and flight reliability.

The candidate will develop tools and methods for mission design, assess fault scenarios, and contribute to mission objectives for upcoming flights.

Qualifications

• 1+ years experience with orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling and simulation.
• 1+ years experience with Python or C++.

Responsibilities

• Analyze launch vehicle trajectories and vehicle performance in the presence of faults.
• Find creative flight plan solutions to enable mission objectives, while maintaining safe vehicle operation.
• Generate and submit flight safety deliverables.
• Produce and present trajectory analysis products for internal and external partners.
• Interface with internal operations teams, flight reliability teams, hardware teams, and external regulatory partners such as the FAA.
• Engage in multi-disciplinary vehicle systems investigations to motivate mission design, vehicle architecture, and analysis methodologies.
• Develop and evaluate flight termination system mission rules.
• Support launch and mission operations of vehicles that you enabled.
• Conduct flight data review.
• Automate mission-to-mission trajectory analysis product generation.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Python

C++

Modeling & simulation

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics or engineering

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

As a Trajectory Analysis Engineer, you will be responsible for finding creative analysis solutions to enable the world’s most advanced rockets, including our next‑generation Starship vehicle, a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to Mars and beyond. You will work with a talented team of accomplished engineers to iterate on mission objectives for upcoming and future flights to ensure flight safety objectives are met. You should thrive in fast‑paced, dynamic environments where you adapt quickly and love to solve hard problems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze launch vehicle trajectories and vehicle performance in the presence of faults
• Find creative flight plan solutions to enable mission objectives, while maintaining safe vehicle operation
• Generate and submit flight safety deliverables
• Produce and present trajectory analysis products for internal and external partners
• Interface with internal operations teams, flight reliability teams, hardware teams, and external regulatory partners such as the FAA
• Engage in multi‑disciplinary vehicle systems investigations to motivate mission design, vehicle architecture, and analysis methodologies
• Develop and evaluate flight termination system mission rules
• Support launch and mission operations of vehicles that you enabled
• Conduct flight data review
• Automate mission‑to‑mission trajectory analysis product generation

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline
• 1+ years experience with orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling, and simulation (via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience)
• 1+ years experience with the software languages Python or C++ (via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience)

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Demonstrated project or professional experience in launch vehicle and/or spacecraft systems
• Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
• Experience with system trades and first‑hand knowledge of how requirements tie hardware to larger systems
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affidantive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].