Future Projects Mission Analysis Engineer

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

Our Future Projects team is dedicated to expanding and complementing these capabilities by conceptualizing and developing new technologies, products and programs.

As a Future Systems Mission Analysis Engineer, you must have a firm grasp of orbital mechanics concepts and applications. You will support early-phase studies of various spacecraft and mission concepts, including in-orbit services, lunar vehicles, and launch systems, and will work all aspects of mission design: spacecraft and mission conceptual design, ConOps, orbit/trajectory analysis and design, algorithm development, operations, and post-flight analysis.

Key Responsibilities

In your capacity as a Future Systems Mission Analysis Engineer, your role will be continuously evolving, but day to day your duties will include to:

• Mission Planning and Analysis: Own the mission design of The Exploration Company’s vehicles for a wide variety of spacecraft and space missions to include LEO operations, Reentry, and Rendezvous and Docking focusing on In-Orbit Services, as well as supporting Lunar missions.

• Space Debris Mitigation: Own the Space Debris Mitigation requirements, and propose solutions to comply with the latest space traffic sustainability standards.

• Technical Budgets and Vehicle Design: Ownership of delta-V and propellant budgets, and support vehicle sizing.

• Trajectory Design: Develop and optimize spacecraft trajectories for various mission phases, including launch, orbit transfer, station-keeping, proximity operations and end-of-life disposal.

• Simulation and Modeling: Create, utilize and maintain simulation models to predict and optimize spacecraft behavior and performance under various scenarios.

• Technical Documentation: Prepare, maintain and contribute to accurate technical documentation, including requirements specification, mission analysis reports, operational procedures, as well as technical inputs to proposals.

• Collaboration: Work closely with systems engineers, operations teams, and other stakeholders and perform multi-disciplinary spacecraft systems trades to ensure mission objectives are met.

• Risk Assessment: Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with on-orbit operations and propose contingency plans.

• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated with the latest advancements in space technology and contribute to the continuous improvement of mission analysis processes.

What we would love to see from you

In the role of Future Systems Mission Analysis Engineer ideally, you will have the following:

• Education: MSc. in Aerospace or related engineering discipline.

• Experience: More than three years of experience in mission analysis, orbital mechanics, or a related discipline. Previous roles should reflect hands-on experience with rendezvous and proximity operations.

• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of classical dynamics, orbital and flight mechanics, including relative orbital motion, and affinity with optimization problems and methodologies.

• Programming Skills: Software development experience, ideally with C++ and Python.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Feedback: Willingness to give proactive and mindful feedback across all company levels.

• Mindset: Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and highly motivated to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up environment.

• Languages: Fluent in English.

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:  

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind 

• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them  

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?  

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly. 
 
The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.  


All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.