Flight Dynamics Engineer I​/II

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 – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change mitigation, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets – we’re building the future of space. The Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

The team has built spacecraft, payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. We have enabled more than 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to in‑space manufacturing and national security initiatives.

As a Flight Dynamics Engineer I/II based out of the headquarters 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, sometimes under time‑critical conditions, and develop ground scripting in Python to automate these flight dynamics processes.

(This position can be hired as a Flight Dynamics Engineer I or Flight Dynamics Engineer II.)

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, Software Engineering or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
• Experience in mission design, flight dynamics.
• Understanding of orbital mechanics, orbit determination theory.
• Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus or equivalent.
• Python software development.
• Git version control or an equivalent version control system.
• Jira software project management or equivalent.
• Active DoD U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, Software Engineering or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
• 2+ years of experience in mission design, flight dynamics.
• Understanding of orbital mechanics, orbit determination theory.
• Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus or equivalent.
• Python software development.
• Git version control or an equivalent version control system.
• Jira software project management or equivalent.
• Active DoD U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Monte Carlo numerical simulation.
• Orbit determination analysis with ODTK, Orekit or equivalent.
• Team and/or software project management experience.
• Ability to work on complex problems under time pressure.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in consultation with a range of stakeholders.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination,…