Flight Dynamics/GNC Engineer (5221C), Space Sciences Laboratory - #83693

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

Position Summary

The Mission Operations Team at the Space Sciences Lab operates multiple NASA science spacecraft now, and is funded to operate additional ones through this decade, and beyond. We currently operate spacecraft in Low Earth orbit, Lunar Orbit, at Earth-Sun Lagrange distance, and Mars, all AT THE SAME TIME. We are looking for a new Flight Dynamics engineer to help us with the essential products we need to ensure that our spacecraft get to where they need, and maneuver as appropriate to collect science data for our important missions. The person we hire will aid in spacecraft navigation and mission design tasks for our existing and upcoming missions. You will work in a small and nimble team on multiple missions and proposals at once, and on a timescale where you will get to see your work's impact.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 01/27/2026.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision, provides mission operations support for ongoing projects.
• Generates and analyzes orbit and attitude determination solutions and mission planning products.
• Provides spacecraft maneuver planning, analysis, and calibrations for missions with propulsive capabilities.
• Under guidance of managers and principle investigators designs, develops, modifies, debugs and evaluates flight dynamics and navigation systems that are part of the multi-mission operations system and its components.
• Provides support for mission design, flight dynamics, and navigation analyses for proposals and projects in pre-launch phases.
• Interacts with other aerospace engineering specialists, and outside collaborators, to develop and maintain the flight dynamics components of our mission operations system.
• Responds to spacecraft anomalies in flight dynamics systems or assist spacecraft operators in their tasks to investigate and recover from on-orbit, or ground system, anomalies.
• Gathers and analyzes information and prepares reports with respect to feasibility, flight dynamics design criteria and performance of their related products in support of formal project review processes.
• Writes, analyzes, prepares and summarizes operational procedures and reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in the design, development, and navigation of spacecraft.
• Relevant work or school experience in at least one of the following: spacecraft navigation, trajectory determination, or mission design.
• Experience using at least one commonly used flight design tool such as Mission Analysis, Operations, and Navigation Toolkit Environment (MONTE), General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), Copernicus, or other related mission design and trajectory analysis software systems.
• Skilled in the use of Python, MATLAB, LINUX. VS Code, and Git/GitLab.
• Working systems level knowledge of other engineering specialties involved in the design and development of spacecraft.
• Must be able to travel up to 5% as needed for work events.
• Must be able to travel within the US to support in-person meetings and work on EAR programs.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to communicate, or present in a formal setting, technical information to technical and nontechnical personnel at various levels in the organization.
• Experience using InfluxDB and/or MySQL for data management and Grafana for building monitoring dashboards.
• Previous experience with, or exposure to, NASA missions.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $115,000.00 - $125,000.00. The full pay scale for this job classification is $101,600.00 - $189,800.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research and Public Service Professionals, represented by the UAW.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.