Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer II - Secret Clearance Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more. The Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, an upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Role
As a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer II 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 as part of a dynamic team with subject matter experts from Systems, Ground Software, Electrical, Avionics, Flight Software, Thermal, Propulsion, and GNC engineering disciplines. You will solve complex problems, at times 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 an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree
- 8+ 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 is required due to program requirements
Preferred 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 (CA only): $162,000 to $243,000 USD. Salary determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits include 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. Company equity may also be provided. Eligibility for benefits varies based on 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.