Interplanetary Trajectory and Maneuver Design
Intuitive Machines
Interplanetary Trajectory and Maneuver Design Engineer
Littleton, CO
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
We are seeking a talented and experienced Trajectory and Maneuver Design Engineer to play a key role on our Flight Dynamics Interplanetary team based in Littleton, CO.
Responsibilities:
- Support high profile interplanetary missions such as NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX, Lucy, and DAVINCI, as well as commercial Lunar and Mars programs.
- Conduct trajectory analysis for various spacecraft both in development and currently in operations, including:
- High and low thrust trajectory optimization
- Trajectory trade studies
- Statistical Monte Carlo analysis
- Perform operational maneuver planning, design, and verification as part of the ground navigation team for missions in flight.
- Build ground navigation tools and software for trajectory design, visualization, and analysis.
- Produce technical reports and present results to the wider ground navigation team and project stakeholders.
- Coordinate analyses with, and work alongside, our industry and mission partners.
- Work closely with spacecraft subsystem engineers, scientists, and other stakeholders to understand mission requirements.
- Perform other duties as required.
Requirements:
- Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Physics, or related discipline
- Master’s degree with 0-2 years of experience in the field or a related area, OR a bachelor of science degree with minimum of 2-5 years of experience in the field or a related area
- Understanding of interplanetary trajectory design or navigation with expertise in at least one of: astrodynamics, trajectory optimization, orbit determination, flight path control, low thrust mission design, or spacecraft GNC.
- Proficiency in Copernicus, STK, GMAT, EMTG, or other mission design software tools.
- Proficiency in Python program language.
- Experience with Linux operating systems.
- Experience with Microsoft Office products.
- Excellent technical, communications, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated experience in leading work groups and teams.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
- Must be a US Citizen.
Preferred Requirements:
- PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, or related technical domain.
- Significant course study, research, or previous work experience in Astrodynamics (specifically small body dynamics), Statistical Orbit Determination, Linear Control Theory, or Optimization.
- Proficiency with MIRAGE and/or MONTE.
- Experience with the NAIF SPICE toolkit.
- Experience with coding in C/C++, MATLAB, PERL, or FORTRAN languages.
- Experience with Python package management systems such as Conda/mamba and configuration management systems such as git/gitlab.
Competency Levels:
The possible competency levels for this position and the salary ranges for Colorado-based employees are:
- Level II: $100,000 – $130,000
- Level III: $130,000 – $160,000
US EEO Statement
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.
