Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer II - Secret Clearance Verified today

Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA · Space Systems · first seen 2026-07-25

Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer II - Secret Clearance

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. You will work within a dynamic team of subject matter experts across Systems, Ground Software, Electrical, Avionics, Flight Software, Thermal, Propulsion, and GNC engineering disciplines, solving complex problems often under time critical conditions.

What you will 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 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 experience with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent tools
  • Python software development
  • Git version control or equivalent version control system
  • Jira software project management or equivalent
  • Active Secret clearance, with ability to obtain TS/SCI
  • U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

Desirable 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

  • Base salary: $162,000-$243,000 USD
  • Total compensation (base and equity): $194,000-$300,000 USD
  • Company stock as part of total compensation package
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
  • Medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP with HSA company 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) retirement plan with company match
  • Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages

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.