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Mission Design Engineer (2-5 yrs) Verified today

Advanced Space · Westminster, CO · Space Systems · first seen 2026-08-15
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About the Role

Advanced Space is seeking a Mission Design Engineer with 2-5 years of experience to apply astrodynamics expertise and creative problem-solving to lunar and interplanetary missions. This hands-on technical role supports mission design and trajectory analysis across Earth-orbiting, cislunar, and interplanetary missions throughout the full mission lifecycle, from mission architecture and trajectory optimization to concept of operations development, contingency planning, and flight operations support.

What You'll Do

  • Design mission architectures and optimize trajectories for Earth-orbiting, cislunar, interplanetary, high-thrust, low-thrust, formation-flying, and proximity operations missions.
  • Perform mission design analyses including delta-V budgeting, trajectory optimization, Monte Carlo and statistical-delta-V simulations, stationkeeping analysis, and formation-keeping algorithm development.
  • Take ownership of mission phases and work alongside technical leads to define analysis approaches, break down complex problems, and deliver accurate technical solutions.
  • Build and improve astrodynamics software and flight operations tools using Python and Julia.
  • Partner with navigation, systems, guidance/navigation/control, flight software, and other engineering teams to define requirements and integrate mission design analyses across the spacecraft system.
  • Document and present design and analysis results for internal teams and customers.
  • Stay current with aerospace research and emerging technologies to develop new mission design approaches.

Who You Are

  • You hold a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
  • You have 2-5 years of professional experience in mission design, astrodynamics, trajectory design, or a closely related discipline.
  • You have applied mission design and trajectory optimization concepts to real-world aerospace problems.
  • You have experience with astrodynamics software such as MONTE, Copernicus, GMAT, STK, FreeFlyer, or similar tools.
  • You can write Python, Matlab, Julia, or similar scripts to solve mission design problems and contribute to complex codebases.
  • You enjoy solving difficult technical problems and are comfortable working through ambiguous challenges.
  • You communicate technical concepts clearly and collaborate effectively across engineering disciplines.
  • You take ownership of your work and proactively solve problems.

Bonus Experience

  • Supporting spacecraft operations procedures and maneuver design during flight operations.
  • Understanding spacecraft navigation concepts and how navigation interacts with mission design analyses.
  • Supporting systems integration and verification analyses.
  • Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems and how they interface with trajectory design.
  • Developing generalized astrodynamics tools using Python and/or Julia.
  • Supporting system-level design reviews such as SRR, PDR, or CDR.
  • Experience with formation flying, stationkeeping, or proximity operations.
  • Using agentic AI tools to support code development, documentation, and testing.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $88,000-$116,000 (based on experience, qualifications, and location)
  • Signing bonus
  • Quarterly performance bonuses
  • Company-sponsored medical benefits and 401(k)
  • Flexible time off
  • Relocation assistance

Employment Requirements: This position is open to U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents) only. Visa sponsorship is not available.