Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer: UK Government Programmes – Security Clearance Desirable full_time

Astroscale is seeking to employ an experienced and motivated Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer: UK Government Programmes for a position at our facility based in Harwell, UK.

This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic and rapidly growing company making a positive contribution to the growing problem of orbital debris that endangers mankind’s use of space as an asset.

For us, Flight Dynamics is a critical aspect of our missions, involving complex manoeuvres, approaching, and docking satellites and avoiding debris.

Astroscale’s Flight Dynamics group is a talented international team of experienced and aspiring engineers. We look to bring innovative concepts into the trajectory planning and optimization processes whilst providing the wider teams with streamlined interfaces to all information related to the spacecraft’s surroundings – including that of nearby objects.

The successful candidate will experience a range of orbital environments and scenarios as we perform not only the standard operational life-cycle but also rendezvous, docking and separation activities with passive and active clients. The role will include the design, development, testing and operations of the complete Flight Dynamics suite whilst collaborating with different systems and Astroscale branches worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Help define and review the flight dynamics requirements for Astroscale missions.
• Be the interface with contractors’ teams that are developing the flight dynamics products for Astroscale.
• Participate in the design of the Flight Dynamics group architecture for Astroscale missions.
• Develop algorithms and software for specific flight dynamics modules developed in-house.
• Take responsibility in the SSA processes: conjunction warning assessment, and collision avoidance manoeuvre planning, execution and evaluation.
• Plan, support the execution of and evaluate the performance of, spacecraft orbital and attitude manoeuvres.
• Support the design of the Ground Segment Concept of operations (wrt FDS).
• Interface with the GNC team.
• Support the flight control team.
• Perform required mission and system analysis studies, preparation of technical notes and attendance at technical meetings.
• Review of spacecraft and ground-segment technical documentation and participation in formal reviews.
• Support spacecraft operations engineering activities as required.
• Perform routine and critical real-time operations.
• Participate in training and execution of relative navigation processes, from the pre-launch phase to rendezvous, inspection and capture phases.
• Develop, validate and maintain nominal and contingency mission operations procedures (automated & manual).
• Investigate spacecraft anomalies and participate in the anomaly resolution process.
• Interface internally / externally as required in support of operations activities, and ensure all relevant information is formatted and disseminated appropriately.
• Participate in 24/7 shifts (for mission phases) and on-call rotations, such that safe and efficient operations are ensured on a 24/7 basis.

Essential Skills

• Right to work in the UK and eligible for a Security Clearance application (Mandatory)
• University degree in aeronautics, computer science, software engineering, mathematics or relevant science discipline.

• 5 years commercial Space flight dynamics experience
• Excellent knowledge of orbital mechanics & flight dynamics
• Experience in using simulation software MATLAB or similar
• Experience with Mission Analysis & requirements definition
• Fluent in spoken and written English language
• Work in a team as well as independently

Desirable skills

• Security Cleared (Highly desirable)
• Masters or Doctorate in relevant field
• Experience in flight dynamics operations & agile methodology
• Experience using C++, Java, Python, and scripting & basic knowledge of Linux
• 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 design architecture

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell), with potential time being spent in other Astroscale branches

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented international team working on cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours
• Hybrid working available (Dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday per year 
• Life insurance and long term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance (within the UK)
• New state of the art office and cleanroom facility 
• Regular social events