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Flight Dynamics Engineer II Verified today

Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-11
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About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. We operate across Earth orbit, lunar, and interplanetary missions for partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

The Role

As a Flight Dynamics Engineer II 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'll work alongside subject matter experts from Systems, Ground Software, Electrical, Avionics, Flight Software, Thermal, Propulsion, and GNC teams, solving complex problems often 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

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, Software Engineering, or equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree
  • 2+ years of experience in mission design or 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 or ability to obtain and maintain one
  • U.S. citizenship 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 or software project management experience
  • Ability to work complex problems under time pressure
  • Ability to prioritize tasks in consultation with multiple stakeholders

Compensation

Base salary: $115,000 to $145,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $125,000 to $161,000 USD. Equity grant value is determined by function, level, experience, and other factors.

Benefits

Comprehensive package includes company stock (Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount), medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP with HSA contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merch, and additional employee discounts.

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.