Flight Dynamics Engineer, Orbits R&D

About the role

This role involves working on a small team of dedicated engineers responsible for the Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for Planet's fleet of satellites. The responsibilities include mission design, orbit determination, maneuver design and execution, and conjunction assessment & mitigation. Mission Planning focuses on optimal scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet's Dove, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations.

Responsibilities

• Research, design, and architect new software solutions for managing Mission Design needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites.
• Work on complex optimization problems with knowledge of flight dynamics and software engineering.
• Develop and automate tools to assess mission design trade-offs that will define the future of Planet's constellations.
• Collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and ground software teams to improve the operations of existing fleets and enable future missions.
• Perform first-principles analysis to optimize scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet's diverse satellite constellations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, physics or related technical field.
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in orbital mechanics and space mission operations.
• Software development experience in C++ and Python.
• Ability to carry out first-principles analysis and operationalize MVP solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience with constellation and mission design trade studies.
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Orbit determination and high-fidelity propagation, Covariance realism, Low-thrust mission design, Maneuver automation, Constellation management.
• Experience maintaining peer-reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment.

Skills

• Experience with constellation and mission design trade studies.
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Orbit determination and high-fidelity propagation, Covariance realism, Low-thrust mission design, Maneuver automation, Constellation management.
• Experience maintaining peer-reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution.
• Moderate Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off.
• 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
• Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Home Office Reimbursement.
• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement.
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuter Benefits (if local to an office).
• Volunteering Paid Time Off.
• Compensation: The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is listed below.

Pay

The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is $114,200 - $142,700 USD.

Schedule

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week.

Impact

You'll Own: Research, design, and architect new software solutions for managing Mission Design needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites. Work on complex optimization problems with your knowledge of flight dynamics and software engineering. Develop and automate tools to assess mission design trade-offs that will define the future of Planet's constellations. Collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and ground software teams to improve the operations of existing fleets and enable future missions. Perform first-principles analysis to optimize scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet's diverse satellite constellations.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, physics or related technical field.
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in orbital mechanics and space mission operations.
• Software development experience in C++ and Python.
• Ability to carry out first-principles analysis and operationalize MVP solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience with constellation and mission design trade studies.
• Experience implementing one or more of the following: Orbit determination and high-fidelity propagation, Covariance realism, Low-thrust mission design, Maneuver automation, Constellation management.
• Experience maintaining peer-reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment.

Application Deadline

October 6, 2026 at 11:59p PTEAR/ITAR Requirements: This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.