Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

You will play a key role in shaping the future of trajectory planning and optimisation by introducing innovative concepts and delivering streamlined interfaces that give our Operations team clear, intuitive access to all information related to the spacecraft’s environment — including interactions with nearby objects. In this role, you will work across a diverse range of orbital regimes and mission scenarios. Your involvement will span the entire operational lifecycle, from routine mission phases to complex activities such as rendezvous, docking and separation with both active and passive clients. You will contribute to the full development chain of the Flight Dynamics suite — from design and implementation through testing and operational deployment — while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams across the globe.

Responsibilities

• Help define and review the flight dynamics requirements for Astroscale missions.
• Be the interface with contractors’ teams that are developing the flight dynamics products for Astroscale.
• Participate in the design of the Flight Dynamics group architecture for Astroscale missions.
• Develop mathematically intensive software for specific flight dynamics modules developed in-house.
• Take responsibility in the space traffic management processes: conjunction warning assessment, and collision avoidance manoeuvre planning, execution and evaluation.
• Plan, support the execution of and evaluate the performance of spacecraft orbital and attitude manoeuvres.
• Support the design of the Ground Segment concept of operations (wrt flight dynamics systems).
• Interface with the GNC team.
• Support the spacecraft operations team.
• Perform required mission and system analysis studies, preparation of technical notes and attendance at technical meetings.
• Review of spacecraft and ground-segment technical documentation and participation in formal reviews.
• Support spacecraft operations engineering activities as required.
• Perform routine and critical real-time operations.
• Participate in training and execution of relative navigation processes, from the pre-launch phase to rendezvous, inspection and capture phases.
• Develop, validate and maintain nominal and contingency mission operations procedures (automated & manual).
• Investigate spacecraft anomalies and participate in the anomaly resolution process.
• Interface internally / externally as required in support of operations activities, and ensure all relevant information is formatted and disseminated appropriately.
• Participate in 24/7 shifts (for mission phases) and on-call rotations, such that safe and efficient operations are ensured on a 24/7 basis.

Essential Skills

• University degree in aeronautics, computer science, software engineering, mathematics or relevant science discipline.
• 5 years commercial Space flight dynamics experience.
• Excellent knowledge of orbital mechanics & flight dynamics.
• Experience in using simulation software MATLAB or similar.
• Experience with Mission Analysis & requirements definition.
• Fluent in spoken and written English language.
• Work in a team as well as independently.

Desirable skills

• Security Cleared (Highly desirable).
• Masters or Doctorate in relevant field.
• Experience in flight dynamics operations & agile methodology.
• Experience using C++, Python, and scripting & basic knowledge of Linux.
• Experience in regression testing and version control.
• Education or experience in Guidance, Navigation and Control.
• Education or experience in image processing and object reconstruction methods.
• Familiarity in Flight Dynamics design architecture.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology.
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment.
• Optional 9/75 working pattern.
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements).
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday.
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay.
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit).
• Relocation allowance.
• Visa sponsorship for employees considered.
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility.
• Regular social events.

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space. Since our first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA‑d and ADRAS‑J missions, establishing the company as a leader in on-orbit servicing. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat OneWeb. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, service and remove, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked. At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.