We are looking for a Flight Dynamics Engineer to join our team supporting satellite operations primarily at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany.
The team supports a wide range of missions, including ESA Earth Observation missions, the Copernicus Sentinel satellites and interplanetary scientific missions.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Perform routine flight dynamics operations, including processing and monitoring telemetry, tracking and GNSS data.
- Perform orbit and attitude determination and prediction, including spacecraft state and AOCS parameter estimation.
- Support orbit manoeuvre optimisation, calibration and analysis, as well as the generation of spacecraft telecommand files.
- Perform spacecraft sensor calibration and validate flight dynamics calculations and results.
- Maintain, configure and further develop flight dynamics systems, software, tools and operational procedures.
- Support routine satellite operations, including participation in a 24/7 on-call rotation.
- Prepare and support special operations and mission-end campaigns, including technical studies, analyses and simulations.
- Support the preparation and launch of new missions through flight dynamics system setup, software validation, procedure development and simulations.
- Contribute to the maintenance, development, testing and validation of flight dynamics software.
- Collaborate closely with flight control teams and other technical teams within an international, multidisciplinary environment.
Mandatory skills and experience:
- University degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or another relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
- Strong knowledge of classical mechanics, with knowledge of orbital mechanics and spacecraft attitude dynamics/control.
- Strong knowledge of linear algebra, differential and integral calculus, and numerical methods.
- Ability to analyse and solve complex technical problems using analytical and numerical methods.
- Ability to define, implement, validate and operate software for engineering and flight dynamics applications.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent communication skills and a proactive approach.
- Ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure..
- Fluent written and spoken English.
- Valid authorisation to work in Germany.
- Willingness to undergo the required security clearance.
Additional skills considered an asset:
- Professional experience in flight dynamics, satellite operations or Space Situational Awareness.
- Knowledge of UNIX/Linux operating systems.
- Experience with object-oriented programming languages.
- Practical experience with orbit determination, attitude determination or spacecraft manoeuvre operations.
- Experience supporting operational satellite missions or mission preparation activities.
This position is based in Darmstadt, Germany.
If you believe you meet the requirements for this position, please send your CV in English and in Word or PDF format to Andrés Izquierdo by clicking the Apply for this job button and quoting the relevant job reference.
An exciting and dynamic international working environment awaits you!
Application deadline: 25/10/2026
