Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer , Space Sciences Laboratory

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The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL fosters research in space‑related sciences and provides education for the next generation of space scientists. Research is focused on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

The Mission Operations Team at SSL operates multiple NASA science spacecraft and is funded to operate additional ones through this decade and beyond. We are looking for a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to provide spacecraft navigation and mission design. You will work in a small, nimble team on multiple missions and proposals at once, and see the impact of your work.

The first review date for this position is 01/27/2026.

• Provides mission operations support for ongoing space missions.
• Generates and analyzes orbit and attitude determination solutions and mission planning products.
• Provides spacecraft maneuver planning, analysis, and calibration for missions with propulsive capabilities.
• Designs, develops, and evaluates complex flight dynamics and navigation systems used in the operations of national space science assets.
• Performs complex analysis on a variety of flight dynamic and orbital mechanics problems, including the definition of related mission requirements, for current and future space science missions.
• Collaborates with other aerospace engineering specialists and outside collaborators to develop and maintain the flight dynamics ground systems.
• Consults and collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs) and other aerospace engineering specialists in the development of new mission concepts.
• Responds to spacecraft anomalies, from the perspective of the flight dynamics specialty, to assist in the investigation and recovery operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Thorough skills in the design, development, and navigation of spacecraft trajectories.
• Demonstrated proficiency as a specialist in at least two of the following: spacecraft navigation, trajectory determination, or mission design.
• Experienced user of Mission Analysis, Operations, and Navigation Toolkit Environment (MONTE), General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), Copernicus, or other related mission design and trajectory analysis systems.
• Thorough knowledge of Python, MATLAB, LINUX, VS Code, and Git Lab.
• Past systems knowledge of other engineering specialties (e.g., Propulsion, Avionics) involved in the design and development of spacecraft.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and present information to technical and non‑technical personnel at various levels in the organization.
• Must be able to travel up to 5% as needed for work events.
• Must be able to travel within the US to support in‑person meetings and work on EAR programs.
• Advanced degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Experience with NASA missions.
• Proficiency in Influx
  
  DB and MySQL for data management and Grafana for building monitoring dashboards.
• Post‑graduate level coursework in a related area.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $ – $. The full pay scale for this job classification is $ – $.

• This is a full‑time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt, monthly‑paid position.

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

• This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research and Public Service…