Principal Flight Dynamics Engineer - Lead at Firefly Aerospace

About Firefly Aerospace

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

Summary

As a principal flight dynamics engineer at Firefly, you will leverage a proven background in astrodynamics, orbit determination, and trajectory optimization to lead a team of engineers responsible for a wide array of operational spacecraft. You will guide a collaborative group developing tools, performing mission design, and executing spacecraft operations for missions spanning Earth orbit, cislunar transfers, and lunar surface landings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a flight dynamics team supporting Earth-orbiting satellites, cislunar vehicles, and lunar landers.
• Oversee mission design, orbit determination, and maneuver planning across the spacecraft lifecycle—from early design through on-orbit operations.
• Architect, maintain, and improve software pipelines for trajectory analysis, maneuver planning, and navigation.
• Ensure operational readiness by coordinating pre-launch activities, launch campaigns, and post-launch support.
• Mentor and develop engineers into subject matter experts in flight dynamics and mission operations.
• Collaborate across disciplines (GNC, systems engineering, ground systems, and mission operations) to ensure mission success.
• Define and enforce best practices in operational flight dynamics, including automation, validation, and contingency planning.
• Represent the team in program reviews, customer briefings, and external technical exchanges.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Professional experience as a flight dynamics engineer supporting operational spacecraft missions.
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field, and 10+ years of relevant work experience.
• Expertise in astrodynamics, orbit determination, and/or trajectory optimization.
• Experience with pre-launch mission planning, launch campaigns, and early orbit operations.
• Demonstrated success in an operational environment requiring real-time orbit determination and maneuver design.
• Proficiency in Python and familiarity with software development practices, including version control (e.g., Git).
• Strong technical communication skills, with experience preparing and presenting results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and make critical decisions in time-sensitive operational scenarios.
  
  

Desired

• Experience leading or managing a team of flight dynamics engineers on active spacecraft missions.
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in aerospace engineering, physics, or related field.
• 15+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Proficiency with Linux-based environments and scripting.
• Familiarity with ground station tracking data, navigation interfaces, and operational data systems.
• Experience with industry-standard flight dynamics or astrodynamics software (e.g., Monte, FreeFlyer, STK/ODTK, GMAT).
• Understanding of flight dynamics automation, validation/verification, and fault management.
• Background in spacecraft navigation sensors (GPS, star trackers, radiometric tracking).
  
  

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.

Firefly 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.