Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer I - Secret Clearance Verified today

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, and satellite components. The Electron rocket has launched more than 230 satellites to orbit and is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually. Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle, and the Space Systems business designs and builds satellites and payloads for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, and components for the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Role

As a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer I based 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. You will work with subject matter experts from Systems, Ground Software, Electrical, Avionics, Flight Software, Thermal, Propulsion, and GNC engineering disciplines, solving complex problems sometimes under time critical conditions.

What You'll Do

• 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

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree
• 5+ years of experience in mission design and flight dynamics
• Understanding of orbital mechanics and orbit determination theory
• Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent
• Python software development
• Git version control or equivalent
• Jira software project management or equivalent
• Active Secret clearance, with ability to obtain TS/SCI
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

Desirable Qualifications

• 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

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range for California: $132,000 to $198,000 USD. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total rewards package includes company equity and benefits: top tier medical HMO, PPO, and 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Eligibility varies by employment status.

Working Conditions

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Additional Information

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.