Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer II

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we’re building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in‑space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high‑performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world‑class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer II based out of our headquarters 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 as part of a dynamic team with subject matter experts from Systems, Ground Software, Electrical, Avionics, Flight Software, Thermal, Propulsion and GNC engineering disciplines. You will need to solve complex problems, at times under time‑critical conditions.

You will be developing the ground scripting in Python to automate these flight dynamics processes.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
• 8+ years of work experience in mission design, flight dynamics.
• An advanced understanding of orbital mechanics.
• Orbit determination theory.
• Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus or equivalent.
• Orbit determination analysis with ODTK, Orekit or equivalent.
• Python software development.
• Git version control or an equivalent version control system.
• Jira software project management or equivalent.
• Active DoD U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Monte Carlo numerical simulation.
• Continuous integration practices.
• 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.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $150,000—$200,000 USD

Salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket…