Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer I

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separati...

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Develop...

As a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer I based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you will perform tracking, navigation, maneuver, trajectory planning, and collision avoidance design and operations for Earth orbiting, lunar, and interplanetary missions as part of a dynamic team with subject matter exp...

Develop and analyze launch vehicle and spacecraft trajectories, including ascent, orbit insertion, and orbital maneuvers
Perform orbital propagation, rendezvous planning, and station-keeping analysis for spacecraft operations
Support mission design including launch window analysis, delta-V budgets, and contingency planning
Interface with flight software and GNC teams to validate and optimize guidance profiles
Generate and deliver trajectory data products and flight dynamics support for mission readiness reviews
Contribute to development of in-house simulation tools and flight dynamics infrastructure
Support real-time mission operations including anomaly response and post-launch data analysis

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
5+ years of experience in mission design, flight dynamics.
Understanding of orbital mechanics, Orbit determination theory.
Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent.
Python software development.
Git version control, or an equivalent version control system.
Jira software project management or equivalent.
Active Secret clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain one
U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
Active TS/SCI clearance
Monte Carlo numerical simulation.
Orbit determination analysis with ODTK, Orekit, or equivalent
Team and/or software project management experience.
Ability to work complex problems under time pressure.
Ability to prioritize tasks in consultation with a range of stakeholders.

Citizenship of AU / NZ / EU / NATO