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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and test orbital dynamics solutions for our innovative space operations.
- Company: Join a fast-paced start-up transforming space operations with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful equity, generous leave, and real freedom to innovate.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact on humanity's future in space while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field and 3+ years in orbital mechanics.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for hands-on development and rapid learning.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
Space Machines Company (SMC) is transforming the future of space operations with a bold mission: to deliver Roadside Assistance in Space. As orbit becomes more congested and contested, we act as the "first responders" protecting the satellites that power life on Earth—from communications to navigation. Partnering with both commercial operators and government agencies, we're strengthening space resilience and enabling the growth of a sustainable space economy. We're building this critical capability through hyperscale spacecraft manufacturing—delivering Optimus Viper spacecraft at mass‑production economics with rapid‑response capability. The future of space is one where satellites are monitored, maintained, and protected in orbit. At SMC, we're making that future real.
Why Join Us
We're a start‑up — things move fast, resources are lean, and we're building as we go. What we offer is opportunity: to learn at speed, grow with the company, and leave your fingerprints on something that's never been done before. At Space Machines Company, engineers, innovators, and problem‑solvers join forces to push the limits of what's possible. If you want to build technology designed to protect and power humanity's future in space — and see your work make a visible impact — this is where you'll do it.
How We Work
We are builders first. We approach every challenge through a cycle of design, build, test, and refine — making ideas real, learning from results, and improving with each iteration. We challenge assumptions to make sure we're solving the right problems, and we strengthen our solutions through collaboration and feedback. We use process where it adds value and set it aside where it slows us down. There are a lot of firsts here, and we meet them with curiosity and courage. We win as one team.
As our Astrodynamics Engineer, you play a central role in bringing efficient, flexible orbital dynamics computations to our online systems. You spend your time analysing complex orbital scenarios, liaising with our Guidance, Navigation and Control team on approaches and options, testing and implementing best‑in‑breed solutions and integrating them into our online C2 systems — and shaping how we grow.
In this role, you own outcomes from end to end, including:
- Orbital Scenario Identification – Identify orbital scenarios relevant to satisfying the requirements of our online Command and Control systems.
- Solution Design & Testing – Design and test solutions using a broad range of approaches including analytical, numerical, hybrid propagators, third‑party libraries, in‑house developed algorithms, and novel techniques.
- Orbit Change Optimisation – Determine the most efficient means of performing large orbit changes, trading propellant usage against the time taken to complete the orbit change. Document trade‑offs and pros and cons of different approaches.
- Verification & Validation – Verify and validate proposed solutions for correctness and applicability.
- Systems Integration – Work with back‑end engineers to integrate solutions into our online systems. Help bridge language, platform and toolkit differences between analytical solutions and production online systems. Work with front‑end engineers to bring these solutions to life for our customers.
- GNC Collaboration – Work closely with the Guidance, Navigation and Control team to ensure orbital mechanics solutions align with spacecraft capabilities, sensor performance, and control authority.
- Staying Current – Stay current with state‑of‑the‑art orbital mechanics analysis and emerging approaches. Evaluate new techniques and tools that could enhance our analytical capabilities or operational efficiency.
About You
You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:
- A builder's mindset — turning ideas and theory into working systems through hands‑on development, simulation, and testing.
- An iterative approach — designing, building, testing, learning, and improving with each cycle. Comfortable with weekly integration cadence and rapid validation of new algorithms.
- Collaboration and curiosity — working across disciplines and exploring beyond your own expertise. Exploring beyond your own expertise to solve novel problems in novel ways.
- Adaptability and ownership — thriving in a fast‑scaling, evolving environment where requirements emerge from building. Driving outcomes end to end without waiting for perfect specifications.
Proven experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or a related discipline eg Space Engineering
- 3+ years working with orbital mechanics delivering complex solutions
- Strong familiarity and experience with a variety of propagation algorithms and tools
- Analytical, numerical and hybrid propagation algorithms
- GMAT, STK, MATLAB/Simulink etc
- Polyglot programming experience with several of MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Rust, C++, Elixir/Erlang
Bonus experience:
- Experience with proximity manoeuvres, formation flying
- Experience with continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD)
- Knowledge and experience in spacecraft attitude dynamics
- Mission planning experience
- Familiarity with Git and GitHub
What You Actually Get
You won’t get rich quickly. But you’ll get:
- Competitive salary – Fair pay for hard work. Commensurate with experience and the impact you’ll have.
- Meaningful equity (ESOP) – Real ownership stake. Stock options that matter because you’re joining early enough for them to matter. If we win, you win.
- Actual leave – Annual leave plus personal/sick days. Because even warriors need to recover.
- Public holidays – All of them.
- And freedom. Real freedom to build, decide, and move without waiting for permission. That’s not a benefit you’ll find in a package description, but it’s worth more than most perks on this list.
Astrodynamics Engineer employer: Internetwork Expert
Contact Detail:
Internetwork Expert Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Astrodynamics Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Space Machines Company. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a project that highlights your experience with orbital mechanics and problem-solving. Bring it up during interviews to demonstrate your hands-on approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to adapt! In a fast-paced start-up like SMC, flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss how you've tackled unexpected challenges in the past and how you can bring that builder's mindset to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our mission to transform space operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Astrodynamics Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Space: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for space and technology shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about the mission of protecting satellites and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in astrodynamics and orbital mechanics. Use specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in designing, testing, and implementing solutions. This helps us see how you can contribute to our team right away!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make it easy for us to understand your qualifications and how they align with the role of Astrodynamics Engineer.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and ready to take the first step towards joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Internetwork Expert
✨Know Your Orbital Mechanics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of orbital mechanics and propagation algorithms. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used in the past, as well as any novel approaches you've explored. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Show Your Builder's Mindset
During the interview, highlight your hands-on experience with design, build, test cycles. Share examples of how you've iterated on solutions and improved them over time. This aligns perfectly with the company's focus on building and refining systems.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated across disciplines in previous projects. Share specific instances where your curiosity led to innovative solutions, showcasing your ability to bridge gaps between different areas of expertise.
✨Stay Current and Adaptable
Talk about how you keep up with the latest trends and tools in orbital mechanics. Mention any new techniques or software you've evaluated recently. This shows that you're proactive and adaptable, qualities that are essential in a fast-paced start-up environment like Space Machines Company.