Flight Dynamics Engineer (London or Luxembourg)

At ClearSpace, we believe in reusability, in affordability driving disruption, and that no progress is real unless it is sustainable.

Our company was founded in 2018 out of the realization that in-orbit servicing and space debris removal are vital services for the future of space exploration and operations. Today ClearSpace has assembled an expert engineering team and is leading the way toward sustainable space operations. From a garage in Switzerland, we now operate across UK and Europe, and are working with world-leading institutions and companies to bring our dream of a sustainable space ecosystem to life.

We are looking for a Flight Dynamics Engineer to join our team who will work on both our current missions and future projects. This position is open for Luxembourg or London.

The Role

We are seeking a Flight Dynamics Engineer to contribute to the end-to-end design, development, verification and operation of flight dynamics products for our pioneering In-Orbit Servicing and Debris Removal missions. You will work alongside our existing Ground, Operations and Flight Dynamics team members to ensure that products and services are developed to address customer needs.
The Flight Dynamics Engineer must balance the technical requirements of performing flight dynamics analysis with real-time mission support. You will shape operations planning and execution by collaborating on the development of long-term mission timelines, scheduling ground station passes, and forecasting resource utilisation. You will assist in the planning of high-precision rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) and manoeuvre planning. Additionally, you will support operational readiness through simulation campaigns and oversee long-term on-orbit spacecraft health and safety to ensure mission success.

Key responsibilities

Mission Design

• System Lifecycle Alignment: Contribute to end-to-end mission operations design mapped to spacecraft development schedules, system architectures, and requirements.


• FD Algorithms: Develop and specify the required algorithms for Mission Operations.

• Milestone Reviews: Provide Flight Dynamics expertise at design reviews and bid proposals.


• Standards & Best Practices: Establish rigorous industry standards, strict configuration management, and Flight Dynamics processes to ensure high mission assurance.

Operations Preparations

• Operations Documentation: Develop and maintain all flight dynamics design and procedure related documentation.
  Contribute to Operations Concepts, Spacecraft User Manuals, flight rules, constraints, and other standard operational documentation.

• Operational V&V: Formulate and execute Verification and Validation (V&V) plans using flatstats, simulators, and testbeds.


• Simulation & Rehearsals: Participate in operational rehearsals, anomaly simulations, and team training programs to ensure mission-readiness.

Operations Execution

• Console Operations: Perform on-console Flight Dynamics operations in a rotating shift environment to support routine and critical real-time spacecraft operations execution.

• Flight Dynamics Authority: Provide approvals and dispositions for high-importance Flight Dynamics items (such as Collision Avoidance Manoeuvre planning);


• Flight Dynamics Oversight: Monitor the Flight Dynamics application software processes: Orbit Determination, Manoeuvre Planning, Trajectory Planning, Attitude Planning, Collision Avoidance planning and others;

• Anomaly Resolution: Configure, operate, troubleshoot, and resolve issues in the Flight Dynamics software. Contribute to complex spacecraft anomaly investigations, participating in and executing rapid resolution workflows.

Must Have

• (BSc/MSc/PhD) Degree in Astrodynamics, Aerospace, Engineering, Physics or similar;


• Minimum 5 years of relevant, demonstrable satellite industry experience, preferably through the complete life cycle of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission;


• Excellent knowledge of orbital mechanics and flight dynamics systems;


• Experience performing mission analysis (GMAT, OREKIT, STK, FreeFlyer);


• Experience in satellite navigation, orbit determination, manoeuvre, attitude and trajectory planning;


• Software coding experience (Python, Java);


• Experience with containerised environments (Docker, Kubernetes or similar).

Nice to have

• Working knowledge of ECSS, CCSDS, PUS standards as applied to spacecraft operations;


• Experience of formation-flying or close-proximity satellite operations;


• Unix/Linux OS based systems;


• Experience with Databases (SQL and no-sql);


• Experience in using simulation software (MATLAB or similar);


• Software release lifecycle (version control, unit and integration testing, ci/cd pipelines);


• Can operate in a calm, orderly and disciplined manner during high stress situations;


• Able to identify problems, perform root cause analysis and implement appropriate solutions in a timely manner;


• Detail orientated and able to work using own initiative with limited supervision, as well as alongside other team members.
  

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