{"id":639709,"url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-flight-dynamics-engineer-ii-2","title":"Flight Dynamics Engineer II","company":{"id":684473,"name":"Rocket Lab","domain":"rocketlab.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/rocketlab-2","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":76,"open_postings":75,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.947,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":37,"computed_at":"2026-09-25T05:45:01Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"middle","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Littleton, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":100000,"max":130000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":130000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":2,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Git","optional":false},{"name":"GMAT","optional":false},{"name":"Jira","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"Orekit","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-27T23:12:28Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-23","last_verified_at":"2026-09-25T22:31:55Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":29,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":29},"description":"ABOUT ROCKET LAB\nRocket 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.\nSPACE SYSTEMS\nAt 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.\nOur 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. \nFLIGHT DYNAMICS ENGINEER II\nAs a Flight Dynamics Engineer II based out of Rocket Lab's site in Littleton, CO, 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!\nWHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:\nDevelop and analyze launch vehicle and spacecraft trajectories, including ascent, orbit insertion, and orbital maneuvers\nPerform orbital propagation, rendezvous planning, and station-keeping analysis for spacecraft operations\nSupport mission design including launch window analysis, delta-V budgets, and contingency planning\nInterface with flight software and GNC teams to validate and optimize guidance profiles\nGenerate and deliver trajectory data products and flight dynamics support for mission readiness reviews\nContribute to development of in-house simulation tools and flight dynamics infrastructure\nSupport real-time mission operations including anomaly response and post-launch data analysis\nYOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: \nBachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Space Systems, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.\n2+ years of experience in mission design, flight dynamics.\nKnowledge of orbital mechanics, including spaceflight dynamics, maneuver design, orbit determination, and Kalman filtering.\nMission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent.\nPython software development.\nGit version control, or an equivalent version control system.\nJira software project management or equivalent.\nU.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements\nTHESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:\nMaster’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.\nActive Secret or TS/SCI clearance\nMonte Carlo numerical simulation.\nOrbit determination analysis with ODTK, Orekit, or equivalent\nTeam and/or software project management experience.\nAbility to work complex problems under time pressure.\nAbility to prioritize tasks in consultation with a range of stakeholders.\nThis position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.\nThe expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. \nBase salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and canpurchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation,holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks. \nBase Pay Range (CO Only)\n$100,000—$130,000 USD\nWHAT TO EXPECT \nWe’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way. \nImportant information:\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:\nTo conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.\nRocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.\nApplicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at . This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:\nFor security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. \nUnder these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7521,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":2,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":true},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Insurance coverage","Parental leave","Retirement plans","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space & Aerospace"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-10T20:00:17Z"}],"liveness":{"score":40,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.532,"p_room":0.75,"age_days":28,"expected_fill_days":37,"reasons":["conf:2","stale_co","velocity","win:late","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-09-25T05:45:01Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":130000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-flight-dynamics-engineer-ii-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-flight-dynamics-engineer-ii-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-26T00:10:43Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":73,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":4927,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-27T00:00:00Z"}}}