The Role
Support mission planning and real-time spacecraft operations for lunar missions. Perform trajectory and orbit analyses, Monte Carlo simulations, and orbit determination. Develop and maintain production-quality Python flight-dynamics software and automation tools, create operations procedures and flight rules, and collaborate with international teams and ground/flight subsystems to ensure mission readiness and execution.
Summary Generated by Built In
At ispace U.S., we’re not just going to the Moon—we’re redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: “Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.” By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.
With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.
Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.
We are seeking a Ground operations & Flight Dynamics Engineer to join our mission operations team in a hybrid role focused on mission planning, flight dynamics analysis, and spacecraft operations execution. This position is central to ensuring mission success through disciplined preparation and reliable operations support during critical mission phases.
You will be an integral member of the operations team—working across mission planning, navigation analysis, and on-console operations support—while contributing to the development and enhancement of flight dynamics systems and planning tools that enable safe and efficient lunar mission execution.
This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer to grow into a critical operations role within a dynamic, lean team environment where your contributions will directly impact mission success.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute trajectory analysis for lunar orbital missions to support mission planning and maneuver execution with precision and accuracy.
- Develop and maintain production-quality Python software for flight dynamics systems and mission planning tools, implementing rigorous testing to ensure reliability of flight-critical code.
- Support real-time spacecraft operations as an operations analyst, monitoring telemetry, analyzing system performance, and participating in console operations during mission-critical phases including performing orbit determination.
- Perform Monte Carlo simulations and spacecraft analysis (attitude, thermal, power, orbital parameters) to assess mission performance under various scenarios and inform operational decisions.
- Collaborate with international engineering teams in Japan and the U.S. to integrate existing flight dynamics capabilities and contribute enhancements to shared mission planning infrastructure.
- Generate and maintain operations procedures, flight rules, and technical documentation to ensure operational readiness and mission assurance throughout all mission phases.
- Coordinate with GNC, software, systems, payload, and ground station teams.
- Develop operational procedures, simulations, and automation tools
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field. We will consider a combination of relevant experience and education.
- 2-4 years of relevant experience in astrodynamics, flight dynamics, mission operations
- Proven organizational skills
- Good Python programming skills with ability to write production-quality, well-structured code
- Solid foundation in astrodynamics including orbital mechanics, trajectory analysis, and spacecraft dynamics, orbit determination
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic team environment with limited resources
- Self-directed work style with ability to navigate ambiguity and take initiative
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to focus and complete tasks under deadline pressure
- Team-oriented mindset with willingness to learn
- Willing to have a flexible working hours to facilitate meetings with Luxemburg and Japan’s offices
- Familiarity with GIT
What will Make You Stand Out
- Proven organizational skills, details-oriented
- Experience with GMAT, STK and Monte
- On-console experience/real time operations
- Experience with orbit determination, estimation theory, least squares methods, or filtering techniques
- Understanding of software testing principles and practices
#LI-LH1
At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every listed requirement. If you’re passionate about our mission and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field
- 2-4 years of relevant experience in astrodynamics, flight dynamics, or mission operations
- Proven organizational skills
- Production-quality Python programming skills with rigorous testing practices
- Solid foundation in astrodynamics including orbital mechanics, trajectory analysis, spacecraft dynamics, and orbit determination
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks under deadline pressure
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, resource-limited team environment and self-directed work style
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Willingness to work flexible hours to coordinate with Luxembourg and Japan offices
- Familiarity with GIT
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations (ITAR-related requirement)
- Experience with GMAT, STK, and MONTE
- On-console experience / real-time operations experience
- Experience with orbit determination, estimation theory, least squares methods, or filtering techniques
- Understanding of software testing principles and practices
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The Company
What We Do
ispace is a lunar exploration company with a vision to extend human presence to outer space. The company is developing lunar landers and rovers to deliver customer payloads to the Moon and explore the lunar surface. In doing so, we aim to be a vehicle for companies on Earth to access new business opportunities on the Moon and ultimately incorporate the Moon into Earth’s economic and living sphere. The company is currently planning to its first mission to the Moon as early as Q4 2022.
