Astrodynamics Engineer
El Segundo, California

This is a small satellite company focused on national security space, part of one of the world’s largest aerospace and defence groups. Their missions include missile warning and Earth observation.

They offer startup pace with the stability of the parent business behind it. The work is broad rather than narrow, so engineers here are not pigeonholed into one corner of their discipline.

The Astrodynamics team handles modelling, simulation and analysis across space mission design, trajectory design, orbital manoeuvres, orbit estimation, debris collision avoidance and space domain awareness. They stay involved across the whole programme lifecycle, from mission design inputs through to console support for on orbit operations. They own the orbital CONOPS from inception through on orbit operations to end of life disposal, and they determine the capability the satellite’s propulsion system needs.

They are hiring at Level 3 and Level 4. You would be the Responsible Engineering Authority for the Astrodynamics subsystem on a given programme, study or proposal, and as an experienced member of the team you would help set the engineering standard for the group.

What you will do

• Perform astrodynamics and orbit analyses
• Determine and derive astrodynamics requirements to meet customer requirements and perform customer missions
• Optimise spacecraft trajectories against fuel, time and performance characteristics
• Define and develop the tools and processes used by mission operations and the broader team
• Oversee Astrodynamics engineering across a range of programmes and portfolios
• Interface with other satellite subsystems, systems engineering and programme management to ensure system level performance
• Provide technical leadership to a team of engineers, including decomposition and delegation of tasks
• Mentor other members of the team and be accountable for the quality of work coming from the group

Who this suits

• Someone with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related technical discipline and 5 or more years of engineering industry experience, or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience
• 3 or more years in orbital mechanics, orbit design or astrodynamics
• 3 or more years with orbit design and simulation tools such as GMAT, STK or COTS mission planning tools, plus scientific computing in MATLAB, Python, Julia, Fortran or C++
• US citizenship, with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance post start
• Useful extras: 9 or more years in orbit analysis roles, rendezvous and proximity operations or formation flight, trajectory optimisation, relative motion manoeuvring, orbit determination techniques, architecting novel methods and algorithms for complex mission analyses, setting programme direction and group standards, an active Top Secret clearance

What you get

Level 3: $123,000 to $183,000. Level 4: $150,750 to $225,000. This role is 100% onsite in El Segundo. Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position. This role is export controlled and requires US Person status. There is no visa sponsorship. The company is a drug free workplace with post offer testing, and successful candidates complete a conflict of interest assessment.

Apply

Send your CV through this advert and we’ll come back to you with the full company details and next steps. Darwin Space is a specialist space industry recruitment firm working exclusively on this vacancy. All applications are treated in confidence.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade