GNC & Astrodynamics Engineer (Constellation) - Mission Operations

Mission Operations Support

Review satellite telemetry related to flight dynamics and attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) to assess satellite health and performance.

Analyze telemetry to identify deviations from expected behavior and recommend corrective actions or calibration updates to optimize performance.

Lead all flight dynamics efforts during launch and early operations (LEOP) phases, collaborating with cross-functional teams for successful deployment.

Automated Tool Development

Drive the development and enhancement of software tools for orbital dynamics analysis, incorporating advanced algorithms and automation to streamline decision-making.

• Build and implement automation pipelines for Collision Avoidance (COLA) to reduce turnaround time and allow the system to scale across a growing constellation.
• Incorporate automation and scalability into all maneuver planning to support growth from a few satellites to hundreds.

Orbital Strategy & Maneuver Architecture

Lead the planning and execution of satellite maneuvers (altitude adjustments, phasing, and deployment) to optimize orbital parameters.

• Develop maneuver strategies that maximize operational efficiency, extend satellite lifetime, and maintain desired constellation geometries.
• Lead planning and execution of safe deorbit or disposal maneuvers in compliance with international debris mitigation guidelines.

Constellation Performance Analysis

Perform detailed analysis of constellation configurations to optimize system performance and meet mission objectives.

• Implement algorithms and tools for constellation planning, including orbit determination and design optimization.
• Conduct long-term sustainment analyses, including fuel budgeting and end-of-life (EOL) strategy planning.

Core Responsibilities During Your First 12 Months

• Initial focus is on automation, tooling, and decision-support, not 24/7 operational ownership.
• Work closely with Mission Operations, Flight Software, and Systems Engineering teams; this is not a siloed role.
• Develop comprehensive flight dynamics system maintenance guides, user manuals, and training plans to ensure effective utilization of tools and processes.

Examples Of Problems You Will Work On

• Turning conjunction data into automated, repeatable maneuver recommendations.
• Replacing manual, commercial-software-driven workflows with fit-for-purpose, automated pipelines.
• Designing decision thresholds that balance collision risk, fuel usage, and operational cadence.
• Designing constellation deployment and stationkeeping strategies that scale with fleet growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with responsibilities such as satellite operations, mission design, maneuver planning, or Collision Avoidance analysis.
• Demonstrated proficiency in orbital mechanics principles, satellite dynamics, and control theory, with a strong foundation in academic or professional experience.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and troubleshooting abilities to address complex orbital dynamics challenges and optimize satellite performance.
• Experience with collision avoidance, conjunction assessment, or closely related safety-critical decision systems (or the ability to ramp quickly into this domain).
• Knowledge of Space Situational Awareness principles, including tracking and cataloging space objects, assessing space debris environments, and interpreting Conjunction Data Messages.
• Proficiency in numerical methods and algorithms or propagator development relevant to orbital dynamics, such as numerical integration techniques for solving differential equations governing spacecraft motion, and algorithms for orbit optimization and trajectory design.
• Comfort and proficiency in software tool development, with experience in designing, implementing, and refining tools for orbital dynamics analysis and operations.
• Comfort with using programming languages and tools to solve engineering problems, such as Python, MATLAB, Orekit, and STK.