Defence Flight Dynamics Engineer

Location: Hybrid role based at hirify.global UK in Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Company

Develops on-orbit servicing and space sustainability solutions, including life extension, space situational awareness, refurbishment, and active debris removal.

What you will do

• Design, develop, validate, and maintain software elements of flight dynamics systems for defence missions.
• Develop and specify flight dynamics algorithms for space control products.
• Capture, define, tailor, and analyse requirements, converting them into use cases and user stories.
• Support ground-segment verification, validation, integration, mission system testing, and simulation campaigns.
• Work with operations teams, external suppliers, product owners, technical officers, and development teams to resolve technical issues and guide implementation.
• Maintain product documentation, including requirements, verification and validation plans, test procedures, and test reports.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Astronautics or a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of commercial space or defence flight dynamics experience.
• Current UK SC-level clearance or eligibility to obtain it.
• Excellent knowledge of orbital mechanics and flight dynamics systems, plus experience with mission analysis.
• Experience with MATLAB or similar simulation software, Python, requirements definition, and software product development across design, integration, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Fluent spoken and written English, with spacecraft operations experience and the ability to work with operations engineers.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of ECSS standards and commercial off-the-shelf flight dynamics systems.
• At least 5 years of software development or software engineering experience.
• Knowledge of Windows, Office, and basic Linux.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible working around core hours and an optional 9/75 working pattern.
• 25 days of holiday, increasing yearly to a maximum of 28 days, plus 8 bank holidays.
• Life insurance, long-term sick pay, and private healthcare.
• Relocation allowance and visa sponsorship for employees may be considered.
• Access to a state-of-the-art office and cleanroom facility, regular social events, and an international working environment.