Senior Astrodynamics Engineer - Orbital Mechanics / Space Missio

Senior Astrodynamics Engineer

Orbital Mechanics | Space Mission Design

On-site in El Segundo, CA

Estimated Salary: $123,000 - $225,000/Yearly

U.S. Citizenship is required by Federal Law

We are hiring a Senior Astrodynamics Engineer to support aerospace and defense space programs involving orbital mechanics, space mission design, trajectory optimization, orbit determination, spacecraft maneuver planning, and space domain awareness . This 100% onsite role requires U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance and involves mission analysis using tools such as GMAT, STK, MATLAB, Python, Julia, Fortran, and C++ .

This role serves as the Responsible Engineering Authority (REA) for the Astrodynamics subsystem on assigned programs, studies, or proposals. You will lead astrodynamics engineering throughout the program lifecycle, from mission design and orbital Concept of Operations (CONOPS) through launch, on-orbit flight operations, collision avoidance, spacecraft maneuvering, and end-of-life disposal. You will also establish technical methods, tools, and processes; oversee engineering quality; and mentor other astrodynamics engineers.

Responsibilities:

• Perform advanced astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, orbit design, and mission analysis for spacecraft and satellite programs.
• Develop and derive astrodynamics requirements to meet customer requirements and mission objectives.
• Design and optimize spacecraft trajectories based on fuel consumption, mission duration, performance, and other mission constraints.
• Develop spacecraft maneuver plans and determine propulsion system capability required to achieve mission objectives.
• Support orbit estimation, trajectory design, orbital maneuvers, space debris collision avoidance, and space domain awareness analyses.
• Lead orbital Concept of Operations (CONOPS) development from initial mission design through on-orbit operations and end-of-life disposal.
• Provide technical and console support for spacecraft flight and on-orbit mission operations.
• Serve as the Responsible Engineering Authority (REA) for the Astrodynamics subsystem on assigned programs, studies, or proposals.
• Define and develop astrodynamics tools, engineering methods, standards, and processes for mission operations and broader engineering teams.
• Oversee Astrodynamics Engineering activities across multiple programs and portfolios and maintain technical quality standards.
• Interface with spacecraft subsystems, systems engineering, and program management to ensure mission and system-level performance.
• Provide technical leadership to engineering teams, including task decomposition, work delegation, technical oversight, and mentoring of astrodynamics engineers.

Qualifications:

• US Citizenship required by Federal Law.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance post-start ; a final U.S. Top Secret clearance is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of engineering industry experience .
• Minimum 3 years of experience in orbital mechanics, orbit design, or astrodynamics .
• Minimum 3 years of experience using orbit design and simulation software , such as GMAT, STK, COTS mission planning tools, or similar platforms.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with scientific computing and programming tools , such as MATLAB, Python, Julia, Fortran, or C++.
• Ability to work 100% onsite at one of the designated work locations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 9+ years of industry experience in orbit analysis or related astrodynamics roles.
• Active U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance .
• Experience with rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) or spacecraft formation flight.
• Advanced orbital mechanics expertise, including trajectory optimization, relative motion maneuvering, and orbit determination techniques .
• Experience architecting novel methods, algorithms, and technical solutions for complex space mission analyses.
• Experience decomposing large, complex, or ambiguous engineering efforts into clearly defined tasks for execution or delegation.
• Experience establishing technical direction, engineering processes, methods, and standards for program teams.
• Advanced knowledge, methods, or technical expertise in spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) .

Moseley Technical Services, Inc. is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled Employer