Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer, Orbits R&D
As a Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer, you will work in a small team of dedicated engineers responsible for the Flight Dynamics and Mission Planning for Planet’s fleet of satellites. The Flight Dynamics disciplines of this team include mission design, orbit determination, maneuver design and execution (with propulsion and differential-drag), and conjunction assessment & mitigation. Mission Planning is concerned with optimal scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet’s Dove, SkySat, Pelican, and Tanager constellations. This operations research problem has a direct impact on fulfilling the business needs for the world’s largest heterogeneous constellation of Earth Observation satellites. Your role will involve developing and automating tools to assess mission design trade-offs that will define the future of Planet's constellations.
This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our Berlin office 3 days per week.
Impact You’ll Own:
Research, design, and architect new software solutions for managing Mission Design needs for Planet's increasingly diverse fleets of satellites.
Work on complex optimization problems with your knowledge of flight dynamics and software engineering.
Develop and automate tools to assess mission design trade-offs that will define the future of Planet's constellations.
Collaborate with mission planning, flight dynamics, and ground software teams to improve the operations of existing fleets and enable future missions.
Perform first-principles analysis to optimize scheduling of imaging and contacts for Planet's diverse satellite constellations.
What You Bring:
10+ years of relevant work experience
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, physics or related technical field
Expertise in orbital mechanics and space mission operations
Deep knowledge in software development, in C++ and Python
Experience carrying out first-principles analysis and operationalizing MVP solutions
Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills
What Makes You Stand Out:
Experience with constellation and mission design trade studies
Experience implementing one or more of the following:
Orbit determination and high-fidelity propagation
Covariance realism
Low-thrust mission design
Maneuver automation
Constellation management
Experience maintaining peer-reviewed code, attention to quality including automated testing, and continuous integration and deployment
Application Deadline:
11:45p / 23:45 CET on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.
Export Control Requirements:
Planet Labs Germany GmbH is authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information at Planet under an export license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security. This position requires access to U.S. and German/EU export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by German, EU, or U.S. authorities.
Benefits While Working at Planet:
These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.
Paid time off including vacation, holidays and company-wide days off
Employee Wellness Program
Home Office Reimbursement
Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
Equity
Volunteering Paid Time Off
Compensation:
The expected starting gross salary range for this role is listed below. Individual placement within this range is determined objectively based on gender-neutral criteria such as your skills, qualifications, and professional experience. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or equity.
Germany Salary Range
€86.600—€108.300 EUR
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