Astrodynamics and Navigation Engineer III

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and manoeuvrability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

We are seeking an experienced Astrodynamics and Navigation Engineer III to lead the analysis, design, and operational support of highly manoeuvrable spacecraft missions. This role will lead trajectory design, orbit determination, manoeuvre planning, and mission analysis efforts across the mission lifecycle — from early concept development through on-orbit operations.

You will work closely with systems engineering, GNC, flight software, propulsion, and mission operations teams to develop and implement robust, high-fidelity flight dynamics capabilities that support trajectory design, orbit determination, manoeuvre planning, and mission analysis for missions across multiple regimes.

Lead mission design activities for LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar missions, including:

• Trajectory and manoeuvre design
• Delta-v/propellant budgeting
• Orbit maintenance planning
• Navigation covariance sensitivity studies
• Launch injection dispersion and manoeuvre execution Monte Carlo analyses
• Disposal planning

Own mission-level simulation and end-to-end performance analysis, including:

• Eclipse & payload coverage analyses
• Conjunction assessment and collision avoidance analysis
• Ground station visibility analysis and link budget inputs
• Tracking geometry assessment and schedules
• Scheduling support for mission operations

Architect navigation solutions, informing selection of spacecraft tracking measurement phenomenologies and ground networks.

Develop and maintain internal flight dynamics and mission analysis tools (Python/MATLAB/C++-based).

Contribute to spacecraft operations, including manoeuvre planning, anomaly investigation and on-orbit performance evaluation.

Generate technical documentation, trade studies, and design reports.

Collaborate with GNC, communications, systems engineering, mission operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, or related field
• 5-10+ years of experience performing mission design tasks, general mission analysis, and flight dynamics related operations for spacecraft systems
• Strong background in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and spacecraft navigation
• Experience with industry standard tools such as Systems Tool Kit (STK)/Orbit Determination Toolkit (ODTK), Freeflyer, GMAT, or similar
• Experience in at least one of the following languages:
  Python, MATLAB
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with a focus in Astrodynamics or Estimation
• Experience with cislunar three-body trajectory design and navigation
• Experience with Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) mission design including relative orbit design and navigation
• Experience designing low-thrust and hybrid propulsion spacecraft missions
• Experience with alternative forms of spacecraft navigation (e.g. OpNAV, inter-satellite links)
• Exposure to other spacecraft subsystems (e.g. GNC, propulsion, FSW)

• Ownership – Build and validate the flight dynamics capability that defines how our spacecraft operate across LEO, GEO, and cislunar regimes.
• Innovation – Shape next-generation flight dynamics architectures, trajectory design methodologies, and mission analysis tools for high-energy, low-energy, and multi-body missions.
• Impact – Directly influence mission feasibility, Delta-V performance, navigation accuracy, and long-term success across LEO, GEO, and cislunar operations.
• Growth – Collaborate…