Senior Flight Dynamics Software Engineer, Mission Planning Platform
Muon Space6 hours ago
Base Salary
$213k - $237k/yr
Responsibilities
- Own MuFDS flight dynamics workstreams end-to-end across architecture, implementation, validation, operational rollout, maneuver planning, stationkeeping, collision avoidance, and maneuver reconstruction.
- Drive flight dynamics architecture and design decisions across team boundaries.
- Support on-orbit propulsion operations, including commissioning campaigns and routine maneuvers, with vendors and subcontractors.
- Lead operational responses to orbit determination and maneuver anomalies, including root-cause investigations and system improvements.
- Represent flight dynamics in mission readiness reviews, cross-team design reviews, and external partner interactions.
- Evolve the orbit determination pipeline using advanced filtering, factor graph methods, and improved dynamics modeling.
- Mentor earlier-career engineers in flight dynamics, software craftsmanship, and ground systems.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, physics, applied mathematics, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in flight dynamics software development and operations.
- Hands-on experience planning, executing, and reconstructing propulsive maneuvers for operational LEO spacecraft.
- Strong production-level proficiency in C++ and Python.
- Strong knowledge of orbital mechanics, propagation, orbit determination, and maneuver design.
- Experience leading technical work across functional boundaries and communicating with GNC, Systems, Operations, and external vendors.
- Ability to translate first-principles analysis into production-level code.
- Familiarity with version control, code review, automated testing, and Linux-based software environments.
- Preferred experience implementing and operating orbit determination systems, including filter tuning, residual analysis, and dynamics model calibration.
- Preferred experience with GMAT, Orekit, Ansys STK/ODTK, or FreeFlyer.
- Preferred experience taking spacecraft from LEOP through steady-state operations, conjunction assessment, collision avoidance, scheduling, constrained optimization, or cloud-based ground software systems.
Benefits
- Full-time employees receive equity compensation, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short- and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
- Employees receive three weeks of paid vacation for new employees, 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time, and paid parental leave.
- Muon is registered and able to hire in AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, and WA.
- The position requires access to export-controlled information and is subject to ITAR/EAR eligibility requirements.
About Muon Space
Muon Space designs, builds, and operates low Earth orbit satellite constellations and a software stack that deliver Earth intelligence and in-orbit compute for government, defense, and commercial users. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, the privately held company sells spacecraft, payload integration, and data services. It runs a San Jose production facility capable of building up to 500 satellites in the 100–500+ kg class annually and has acquired propulsion startup Starlight Engines.