Mission Analysis Engineer

About PLD Space

PLD Space is an international company on a mission to transport satellites into space, vertically integrating the engineering, testing, manufacturing, and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Headquartered in Elche (Spain) and founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space has established itself as a global benchmark in the small satellite launch sector. Its family of MIURA launchers and LINCE crewed capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty for space transportation, covering the full spectrum of space missions.

PLD Space operates over 188,000 m² of facilities in Elche, Teruel (Spain), Kourou (French Guiana), and Duqm (Oman), enabling the company to provide comprehensive satellite and payload launch services into space.

Teamwork, courage, determination and ambition enable PLD Space to guarantee an autonomous, independent satellite space access capability, based on reliability at a globally competitive price. The company is able to offer best-in-class launch services to commercial satellite operators, institutions, space agencies and national and international governmental entities

Mission

a Mission Analysis Engineer at PLD Space, your mission is to contribute to the analysis and planning of space missions, ensuring the successful execution of launch vehicle and spacecraft missions. You will play a crucial role in assessing mission feasibility, optimizing trajectories, and providing critical mission-related information to support decision-making processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform mission analysis and trajectory optimization for launch vehicle and spacecraft missions, considering various parameters such as payload mass, target orbit, and mission objectives.
• Support to mission design for interplanetary and Earth Observation missions
• Modelling and simulation of space systems, including space environment and space vehicle dynamics
• Analyse mission requirements and constraints to determine launch windows, ascent trajectories, staging events, and orbital manoeuvres.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses and trade studies to evaluate the impact of different mission parameters on performance, payload capacity, and mission success.
• Perform GNC (Guidance, Navigation and Control) assessments.
• Develop software tools for mission analysis activities.
• Utilize specialized software tools and simulation models to perform trajectory calculations, propulsion system performance analyses, and mission performance predictions.
• Evaluate mission risks, including launch vehicle performance margins, propellant reserves, and contingency plans, to ensure mission safety and success.
• Support launch site selection and launch campaign planning by assessing the compatibility of the launch vehicle with the target orbit and launch range infrastructure.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems engineers, propulsion engineers, and trajectory designers, to define mission requirements and ensure their integration into the overall mission architecture.
• Generate mission-related documentation, including mission profiles, trajectory reports, and performance analyses, to communicate mission requirements and analysis results to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Participate in technical reviews, meetings, and presentations, providing mission analysis expertise and insights to stakeholders and project teams.
• Generate documentation, including user guides, guidelines and user manuals for internal customers use.
• Generate documentation for formal program development reviews.

Necessary Requirements

• Aerospace Engineering bachelor’s degree or demonstrable relevant experience in lieu thereof. Advanced degree preferred.
• > 5 years of relevant technical experience.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and mission analysis principles.
• Proficiency in using mission analysis software tools, such as ASTOS (Astrodynamics Tool Software), STK (Systems Toolkit), or similar.
• Knowledge of optimization theory and techniques.
• Knowledge of Software engineering methods and techniques
• Knowledge of launch vehicle performance parameters, such as mass fractions, delta-v budgets, and propellant utilization.
• Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems and their impact on mission design, including power, communication, and thermal constraints.
• Understanding of launch vehicle integration and launch campaign planning processes.
• Understanding of safety regulations and standards related to GNC systems.

Desired Requirements

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform complex mission analysis tasks and trade studies.
• Excellent mathematical and computational skills for performing trajectory calculations and simulations.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in analysing data, conducting simulations, and documenting results.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to meet project deadlines and milestones.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• English B2-C1.
• Experience in mission analysis or trajectory optimization for launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Knowledge of optimization techniques and algorithms for mission planning and trajectory design.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and uncertainty quantification methods for mission risk assessment.
• Understanding of launch vehicle performance trade-offs and sensitivity analyses.
• Experience with launch site selection and launch range infrastructure considerations.
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to mission analysis and launch vehicle operations.
• Familiarity with:
• Thermal Analysis (CLA Thermal) - Ground & Flight.
• Mechanical Analysis (CLA Mechanical).
• EMC Analysis.
• Separation Analysis (Separation Velocity, Induced Angular Velocities, Collision Margins...)
• French B2-C1.

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Physiotherapy within our facilities
• 50% discount on your health insurance
• You can sign-up your family members with health insurance at a competitive price.
• Healthy snacks and lots of fruit

Find balance

• 23 days of paid vacation plus December 24th and 31st
• Flexible work schedule

Never stop learning

• We encourage practical learning
• We promote professional development through internal mobility and teamwork

Focus on your financial future

• Childcare flexible contributions
• Restaurant tickets
• Transport flexible contributions
• Training support

Values

We have five critical beliefs that guide the way PLD Space is shaping the future of space launch technologies.

• Teamwork
• Hard work
• Dynamism
• Commitment
• Keep it simple

Join us to reinvent how rockets are built!