Flight Dynamics Engineer

ispace, inc. is a global lunar resource development company with the vision, “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” specializing in designing and building lunar landers and rovers. ispace aims to extend the sphere of human life into space and create a sustainable world by providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon. The company has offices in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States and is growing rapidly. ispace Technologies U.S., based in Englewood, Colorado, focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers.

With locations in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, ispace is positioned to be a global leader in the exploration and development of the moon. Let's go to the moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively looking for great people to join the ispace mission.

ispace Technologies, US. located in Denver Colorado is a looking for a highly motivated and talented Flight Dynamics Engineer to join its new team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, analyze, and fly all ispace-US lunar mission trajectories, including on-console operations in Denver, CO for real-time orbit determination and maneuver planning
• Travel to support ispace-inc’s lunar missions from Tokyo MCC, including on-console shift work for at least 2 months between Dec 2024 – Apr 2025
• Support the technical development of the ispace Flight Dynamics System, Navigation Analysis software, and other FD simulation tools
• Analysis of ispace lunar trajectories, assisting in the design of maneuvers, ground station scheduling, and definition of delta-v budget.
• Utilize Monte Carlo techniques for maneuver planning and dispersed trajectory analysis
• Work closely with the ispace Mission Operations team to assist in the development of flight ConOps and flight operations plans and procedures

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace/astronautical engineering, astrophysics, mathematics, or similar field./ We will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
• 3+ years working in flight dynamics, mission design/analysis, mission operations or similar field
• Working knowledge of interplanetary mission design
• Understanding of ground-based spacecraft navigation techniques and statistical orbit determination
• Experience with MONTE, STK, Copernicus, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or other astrodynamics toolsets
• Proficiency or familiarity with Python, or other object-oriented languages
• Experience working in group settings with colleagues from different engineering disciplines
• Strong interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Advanced degree in aerospace/astronautical engineering, astrophysics, mathematics, or similar field
• 5+ years working in flight dynamics, mission design/analysis, mission operations or similar field
• Significant work experience in spacecraft operations, including working with ranging and Doppler residuals for orbit determination
• Previous experience performing interplanetary mission/trajectory design
• Previous software-development work within the MONTE software package
• Design and development of complex CLI applications

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary based upon experience - $120,000-$140,000. The salary range posted is a targeted range for budget of position. Base compensation can be negotiated and will be commensurate with experience, skills, education, and training.
• Medical/vision/dental health benefits (Some 100% company paid options available for employee only)
• Hybrid work schedule 
• Company-paid public transportation on RTD buses and light rail (RTD EcoPass)
• Paid vacation (18 days), Sick days (6 days), Holidays (14 paid holidays) 
• 401(k) 

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.