Flight Dynamics Engineer II

ABOUT ROCKET LABRocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMSAt 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.

FLIGHT DYNAMICS ENGINEER IIAs a Flight Dynamics Engineer II based out of Rocket Lab's 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. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO 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 YOU'LL BRING THESE

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
2+ years of experience in mission design, flight dynamics.

Understanding of orbital mechanics, Orbit determination theory.

Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent.

Python software development.

Git version control, or an equivalent version control system.

Jira software project management or equivalent.

Active Secret clearance OR ability to obtain and maintain oneU.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

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.

This position may require prolonged…