Flight Dynamics Engineer

You will play a key role in shaping the future of trajectory planning and optimisation by introducing innovative concepts and delivering streamlined interfaces that give our Operations team clear, intuitive access to all information related to the spacecraft’s environment — including interactions with nearby objects.

In this role, you will work across a diverse range of orbital regimes and mission scenarios. Your involvement will span the entire operational lifecycle, from routine mission phases to complex activities such as rendezvous, docking and separation with both active and passive clients. You will contribute to the full development chain of the Flight Dynamics suite — from design and implementation through testing and operational deployment — while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams across the globe.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Flight Dynamics models, algorithms, simulations, analyses, and software tools to support mission design, orbit determination, orbital manoeuvres, spacecraft performance assessment, and operational monitoring.
• Support flight dynamics requirements definition.
• Interface with contractors on technical activities.
• Perform mission and system analyses.
• Support manoeuvre planning, execution, and performance evaluation.
• Support conjunction assessment and collision avoidance activities.
• Support anomaly investigations.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures.
• Support spacecraft operations and participate in real-time mission operations.
• Participate in training and mission execution activities.
  
  

Essential Skills

• University degree in aerospace, computer science, software engineering, mathematics or relevant science discipline.
• 2 years commercial Space flight dynamics experience.
• Excellent knowledge of orbital mechanics & flight dynamics.
• Experience using Python, and scripting & basic knowledge of Linux.
• Experience with mission analysis & requirements definition.
• Fluent in spoken and written English language.
• Work in a team as well as independently.

Desirable skills

• Current holder, or eligible to obtain, UK SC level clearance or higher
  
• Masters or Doctorate in relevant field.
• Experience in flight dynamics operations.
• Experience in agile methodology.
• Experience in using simulation software MATLAB or similar.
• Experience in regression testing and version control.
• Education or experience in guidance, navigation and control.
• Education or experience in image processing and object reconstruction methods.
• Familiarity in Flight Dynamics Activities and Processes.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
• Optional 9/75 working pattern
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance
  
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space. The company delivers a variety of innovative and scalable on-orbit servicing solutions, including life extension, refurbishment, upgrades, in-situ space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal. Since its first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, relocate, remove, and extend the life of spacecraft, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked. Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has a global presence with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Israel. Find out more about Astroscale at www.astroscale.com.

At Astroscale UK we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale UK is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale UK operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.