Lead Flight Dynamics Engineer

About Lynk

Lynk is the inventor of satellite direct to device or D2D technology, and has the world’s only commercial license from the FCC to operate a commercial D2D system. Today, Lynk allows mobile network operators' subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified, mobile devices. Lynk’s service has been tested and proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries and is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 40 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries.

Our technology will enable all 8 billion people on the planet to stay connected with the existing standard phone in their pocket. Everywhere. No matter what.

By joining Lynk, you will have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of billions. Your mission will be to bring mobile broadband to billions, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, and save countless lives.

Job Summary

The Lead Flight Dynamics Engineer at Lynk is a pivotal role responsible for defining, developing and implementing orbital dynamics strategies and tools for a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites. This individual will spearhead the establishment of orbital dynamics capabilities within the company and serve as the subject matter expert in this domain including development of collision avoidance tools, practices and strategies. As part of the larger MIssion Operations team the Flight Dynamics Engineer will have the opportunity to support constellation level system analyses as well as contribute to the design and analysis process for next generation Lynk satellites.

This position is primarily a technical one with ample leadership growth opportunities. High impact business and operational decisions are informed by the analysis of the flight dynamics engineer, so if you are ready and motivated to accept the challenge and make a real difference, we want to talk to you.

Core Responsibilities

• Maneuver planning

  • Lead the planning and execution of satellite maneuvers to optimize orbital parameters, such as altitude adjustments, phasing maneuvers, and constellation deployment.

  • Develop maneuver strategies to maximize operational efficiency, extend satellite lifetime, and maintain desired constellation geometries.

  • Incorporate automation and scalability into maneuver planning to support growth from a few satellites to hundreds.

• Constellation analysis

  • Perform detailed analysis of constellation configurations to optimize system performance and meet mission objectives.

  • Implement algorithms and tools for constellation planning, including orbit determination and constellation design optimization

  • Conduct long-term constellation sustainment analyses, including fuel budgeting and end-of-life strategy planning.

• Satellite Operations

  • Review satellite telemetry related to flight dynamics and attitude determination and control systems to assess satellite health and performance.

  • Analyze telemetry data to identify deviations from expected behavior and recommend corrective actions to maintain optimal satellite operations.

  • Update calibration parameters and recommend adjustments to in-orbit operations to optimize satellite performance and extend mission lifetime.

• COLA assessment

  • Using a combination of tools and developed algorithms, conduct comprehensive conjunction analysis to assess potential collisions between satellites and space debris, ensuring safety and integrity of the satellite constellation and orbital environment.

  • Implement automation pipelines to reduce COLA assessment turnaround time and scale across a growing constellation.

• Tool development and improvements 

  • Drive the development and enhancement of software tools for orbital dynamics analysis, incorporating advanced algorithms and automation capabilities to streamline processes and improve decision-making.

• End of Life Operations

  • Lead planning and execution of safe deorbit or disposal maneuvers in compliance with international debris mitigation guidelines, and develop automated workflows for consistent, scalable EOL operations.

During your first 12 Months

• Update and implement enhanced methodologies for satellite collision avoidance analysis, maneuvers, ephemeris generation and distribution.

• Drive the development and implementation of best practices in orbital dynamics with the organization.

• Implement automation capabilities to improve the decision making process and maneuver response times.

• Participate in make/buy trades for relevant orbital dynamics software to meet mission requirements and operational needs.

• Lead all flight dynamics efforts during launch and early operations phases of the satellite fleet, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to support successful satellite deployment and initial operations.

• Develop comprehensive flight dynamics system maintenance guides, user manuals, and training plans to ensure effective utilization of tools and processes.

• Lead training sessions for Flight Operations Engineers and Controllers on the use of the orbital dynamics software and procedures.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in orbital mechanics principles, satellite dynamics, and control theory, with a strong foundation in academic or professional experience

• Strong analytical, conceptual, and troubleshooting abilities to address complex orbital dynamics challenges and optimize satellite performance.

• Previous experience in performing satellite conjunction assessments, including evaluating close approaches, assessing collision risks, and implementing mitigation strategies to ensure satellite safety.

• Knowledge of Space Situational Awareness principles, including tracking and cataloging space objects, assessing space debris environments, and interpreting Conjunction Data Messages.

• Proficiency in numerical methods and algorithms relevant to orbital dynamics, such as numerical integration techniques for solving differential equations governing spacecraft motion, and algorithms for orbit optimization and trajectory design.

• Comfort and proficiency in software tool development, with experience in designing, implementing, and refining tools for orbital dynamics analysis and operations.

• Comfort with using programming languages and tools to solve engineering problems, such as Python, MATLAB, Orekit, and STK.

Job Location

Washington, DC area