Mission Design Engineer

OrbitAID Aerospace is building the foundation for a new era of on-orbit servicing and refueling, enabling satellites to operate longer, maneuver more freely, and deliver greater value in space. At the core of this vision is the development of standardized docking and refueling technologies and a future network of orbital fuel stations, transforming how spacecraft are designed, launched, and sustained in orbit. Our long-term goal is to make space operations more flexible, resilient, and sustainable—where satellites are serviced, upgraded, and refueled rather than replaced. We are a small, driven team that values strong engineering fundamentals, ownership, and hands-on problem solving. At OrbitAID, you’ll work closely across disciplines, move quickly from concept to hardware and software, and contribute directly to building the space infrastructure that will power the next generation of missions.

Role Overview

The Mission Design Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing space missions supporting in concept, simulations and operations. This role involves trajectory design, orbit analysis, mission trade studies, and close coordination with GNC, propulsion, spacecraft systems, and operations teams to ensure mission feasibility and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design complete RPO mission concepts and trajectory from launch separation to final docking and disposal.
• Develop ConOps for autonomous, semi-autonomous, and ground-in-the-loop RPO missions.
• Apply MBSE to define and trace functional and operational requirements across RPO mission phases.
• Design and Analyze relative motion using Hill/Clohessy-Wiltshire, Tschauner-Hempel, and high-fidelity models and apply optimization methods to improve trajectory performance.
• Design collision avoidance and escape trajectories from every proximity phase.
• Ensure trajectories satisfy fail-safe and collision-free requirements.
• Validate robustness of RPO trajectories under uncertainty.
• Perform sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulations for dispersions and uncertainties.
• Interface with GNC, propulsion, thermal, and power teams to ensure mission compatibility.
• Prepare mission design and operations documentation including RPO concept documents, trajectory analysis reports, safety assessments (FMEA & FDIR), and operational procedures.

Tools, Simulation & Modeling

• Develop and maintain mission analysis tools using Python, MATLAB or C/C++.
• Use commercial tools such as GMAT, STK, Orekit, FreeFlyer, or similar.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in orbital mechanics, mission design, and astrodynamics.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrophysics or related field.
• Strong fundamentals in:

• Orbital mechanics
• Spacecraft dynamics
• Space mission analysis

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with small satellite missions (CubeSat / microsat).
• Knowledge of RPO, formation flying, or on-orbit servicing missions.
• Understanding of space regulations (deorbit compliance, IADC, ISO standards).

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Clear technical communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to handle fast-paced, evolving mission requirements.

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience from student satellites or real missions.
• Publications or thesis related to orbital mechanics or mission design.