{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"95a635dc02c73ea545fbeccd","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/95a635dc02c73ea545fbeccd","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/95a635dc02c73ea545fbeccd","title":"Flight Dynamics Engineer III (Orbit Determination), Elytra","description":"ABOUT\n\nFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.\n\nSUMMARY\n\nAs a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer specializing in orbit determination at Firefly, you will perform state estimation and navigation analysis for operational missions spanning LEO and cislunar space. In this role, you will process tracking data, develop filtering algorithms, and maintain high-fidelity dynamical models while collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide accurate navigation solutions and ephemerides. This position combines advanced estimation theory, measurement analysis, and hands-on flight operations support while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.\n\nRESPONSIBILITIES\n\nDevelop algorithms to process measurement data and determine the position and velocity of operational spacecraft\nPerform orbit determination error budgeting and covariance analysis from early mission design through spacecraft mission operations\nCreate tracking schedules that provide orbit determination accuracy required to execute spacecraft missions spanning the LEO and cislunar regimes\nTune filter parameters and optimize measurement weighting during mission operations to maximize orbit determination accuracy and robustness\nDevelop and maintain high-fidelity force models (gravity, drag, solar radiation pressure, thrust) for accurate orbit determination\nInterface with cross-discipline teams to provide accurate ephemerides, navigation solutions, and covariance data for mission planning and operations\nServe as a flight dynamics operator for spacecraft missions and perform maneuver reconstruction to improve spacecraft models\nPerform verification and validation of flight dynamics models and software using analytical solutions, benchmarks, flight data, and unit tests\nAuthor technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate flight dynamics concepts and results to diverse audiences\n\nQUALIFICATIONS\n\nRequired\n\nBachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field\n5-8 years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics with significant depth in orbit determination or navigation\nExperience performing orbit determination for operational spacecraft missions through multiple mission phases\nAdvanced understanding of orbital mechanics theory and applications\nStrong understanding of estimation theory (least squares methods and Kalman filtering), uncertainty modeling, and covariance analysis\nKnowledge of spacecraft force modeling, measurement models, and tracking data sources affecting state estimation\nFamiliarity with targeting and optimization methods\nExperience in software development and modeling/simulation for spaceflight applications\nWorking knowledge of Python and Linux\nProficiency with one or more commercial orbit determination software tools (ODTK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar)\nExcellent communication and presentation skills\n\nPreferred\n\nAdvanced degree (master's or PhD) in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field\nExperience developing custom orbit determination or estimation algorithms\nExpert-level capability in JPL's MONTE software suite for orbit determination\nPython proficiency\nSoftware engineering expertise including skills in version control (Git), code review, automated testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows\nComprehensive knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and their impact on trajectory state estimation and orbit determination accuracy\nProven ability to mentor and develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilities\n\nFirefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.\n\nTo 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.\n\nFirefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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","company":"Firefly Aerospace","rawCompany":"firefly aerospace","city":"Cedar Park","state":"TX","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-15T09:49:56.372Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"17-3021.00","title":"Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians","slug":"aerospace-engineering-and-operations-technologists-and-technicians"},{"code":"15-2031.00","title":"Operations Research Analysts","slug":"operations-research-analysts"}],"industries":[{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"},{"code":"336419","title":"Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"other-guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-parts-and-auxiliary-equipment-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Flight Dynamics Engineer III (Orbit Determination), Elytra","description":"ABOUT\n\nFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.\n\nSUMMARY\n\nAs a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer specializing in orbit determination at Firefly, you will perform state estimation and navigation analysis for operational missions spanning LEO and cislunar space. In this role, you will process tracking data, develop filtering algorithms, and maintain high-fidelity dynamical models while collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide accurate navigation solutions and ephemerides. This position combines advanced estimation theory, measurement analysis, and hands-on flight operations support while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.\n\nRESPONSIBILITIES\n\nDevelop algorithms to process measurement data and determine the position and velocity of operational spacecraft\nPerform orbit determination error budgeting and covariance analysis from early mission design through spacecraft mission operations\nCreate tracking schedules that provide orbit determination accuracy required to execute spacecraft missions spanning the LEO and cislunar regimes\nTune filter parameters and optimize measurement weighting during mission operations to maximize orbit determination accuracy and robustness\nDevelop and maintain high-fidelity force models (gravity, drag, solar radiation pressure, thrust) for accurate orbit determination\nInterface with cross-discipline teams to provide accurate ephemerides, navigation solutions, and covariance data for mission planning and operations\nServe as a flight dynamics operator for spacecraft missions and perform maneuver reconstruction to improve spacecraft models\nPerform verification and validation of flight dynamics models and software using analytical solutions, benchmarks, flight data, and unit tests\nAuthor technical documentation and analysis reports that communicate flight dynamics concepts and results to diverse audiences\n\nQUALIFICATIONS\n\nRequired\n\nBachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field\n5-8 years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics with significant depth in orbit determination or navigation\nExperience performing orbit determination for operational spacecraft missions through multiple mission phases\nAdvanced understanding of orbital mechanics theory and applications\nStrong understanding of estimation theory (least squares methods and Kalman filtering), uncertainty modeling, and covariance analysis\nKnowledge of spacecraft force modeling, measurement models, and tracking data sources affecting state estimation\nFamiliarity with targeting and optimization methods\nExperience in software development and modeling/simulation for spaceflight applications\nWorking knowledge of Python and Linux\nProficiency with one or more commercial orbit determination software tools (ODTK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar)\nExcellent communication and presentation skills\n\nPreferred\n\nAdvanced degree (master's or PhD) in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field\nExperience developing custom orbit determination or estimation algorithms\nExpert-level capability in JPL's MONTE software suite for orbit determination\nPython proficiency\nSoftware engineering expertise including skills in version control (Git), code review, automated testing, documentation, and CI/CD workflows\nComprehensive knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and their impact on trajectory state estimation and orbit determination accuracy\nProven ability to mentor and develop junior engineers while managing technical responsibilities\n\nFirefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.\n\nTo 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.\n\nFirefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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","datePosted":"2026-08-15T09:49:56.372Z","dateModified":"2026-08-15T09:49:56.372Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Firefly Aerospace","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Cedar Park","addressRegion":"TX","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"95a635dc02c73ea545fbeccd"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/95a635dc02c73ea545fbeccd"}}